GCDA Chairman K. Chandran Pillai addressing mediapersons after presenting the agency’s Budget for 2025-26 on March 28.
| Photo Credit: R.K. Nithin
The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) would adopt the land pooling method to develop 300 acres of land for the third phase development of Infopark. In addition, automated parking lots backed by software to guide motorists would be readied at multiple places in Kochi, GCDA Chairman K. Chandran Pillai told media persons after presenting the Budget for 2025-26, which also happens to be the agency’s golden jubilee year.
Of the 300 acres, a total of 100 acres would be dedicated as space for IT firms, while hotels, hospitals, sports and recreational arenas would be built in rest of the space. An amount of ₹1.50 crore has been set apart in the Budget for the purpose. The government has assured all help for the land pooling project, Mr. Pillai said.
The Budget foresees an income of ₹259 crore and an expenditure of ₹218 crore, of which ₹50 lakh will be used to host events related to town planning and sustainable growth in connection with the anniversary celebrations of the agency.
The Ambedkar Stadium near the Ernakulam KSRTC bus stand would be rebuilt at a cost of ₹90 crore to accommodate 15,000 people and to host, among others, football matches. Apart from GCDA funds, corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds too would be sourced for the project.
A basketball court and a swimming pool have been envisaged. A total of 30 initiatives have been mulled to promote sports activities in the Greater Kochi area. This would be apart from a ₹25-lakh ‘happiness park’ at Karimukal.
The Budget also laid emphasis on tourism projects in the form of eateries, cafes, and tourist circuits covering West Kochi, Thripunithura, and Marine Drive, for which ₹35 lakh has been set apart.
Besides, bus terminals have been mulled at Thripunithura and Chellanam. The vacant space beneath the Palarivattom and Vyttila flyovers would be beautified at a cost of ₹8 crore.
Funds have also been set apart for food hubs at Maradu and Kakkanad, while ₹7.50 crore has been allocated for completing She Hostel, ₹2 crore for a women’s fitness centre, and ₹5 crore for a shopping complex at Kakkanad.
On the renovated GCDA market at Kaloor, reportedly turning into a hub for anti-social elements, Mr. Pillai said it would be reopened once the Pollution Control Board gave its sanction.
A few shops there would be reserved for women and people from disadvantaged sections of society. Encroachments on Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road and those that cause flooding in the corridor would be cleared, if need be, by invoking the Disaster Management Act, he added.
Published – March 30, 2025 01:16 am IST
