Global Investors Meet to convert Kochi into an industrial hub

Kochi: The Global Investors Meet (GIM) will convert Kochi into an industrial hub, according to its promoters. Of the 74 projects to be presented at the GIM, more than 20 projects are exclusively for the development of Kochi. Some other developmental projects at the Kerala state-level will also come up at Kochi.

Proposal for the Cochin Airport-Seaport Road will be presented at the GIM. This is included in the roads and bridges sector where projects worth Rs 7,770 crore will be showcased. The project envisages development of a 30-kilometre road, connecting the Cochin International Airport to the Seaport. Work on the project will be completed in three phases.

The first phase of the construction is undertaken by the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala. Private investment is sought for the second and third phase of the project.

The proposed road passes through Cochin Special Economic Zone, industrial areas of Kalamassery connecting HMT, FACT, Kochi Refineries and various oil terminals at Irumpanam. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 200 crore.

The Rs 1,000-crore Sky Bus Metro Project proposes to connect the industrial hub of Kalamassery to downtown Ernakulam. The mass rapid transport system is to make travel in the city much more comfortable. The Sky Bus will ply through the city’s main junctions, carrying 15,000 persons per hour.

The state-of-the-art Aircraft Maintenance Centre at Cochin International Airport proposes to cater to the needs of aircraft. It proposes to deliver its services to neighbouring countries as well. The centre is proposed to be located in Kochi, where three major international air routes intersect.

Kochi is identified for the maintenance centre after considering the good road, rail and port connectivity. It is also pointed out that around 27,617 aircraft fly through Kerala annually. The project cost comes to around Rs 1,000 crore.

A fortnightly passenger shipping service from Kochi to the Gulf connecting important port cities will also come up for the consideration of the GIM. This project is aimed at the 1.28 million Keralites residing in Gulf countries. At present 64 per cent of the total emigrants in Gulf has a monthly income lower than Rs 21,000 and the service will be useful to them.

According to estimates, 80 per cent of the 1.4-million international passengers who travel through the three airports in Kerala are from the Gulf. The proposed investment for the project is Rs 50 crore.

The other projects in the transportation sector include Truck Transport Nagar at Kalamassery industrial belt offering various facilities including truck parking, petrol pump, eating place, kiosks, weigh bridge, storage facility, clearing and forwarding agents, dormitory and other shops.

A pedestrian subway-cum-shopping mall at North Railway Station and Jose Junction, helicopter and air taxi services to cater to the high-income tourists and commercial development of Ernakulam KSRTC bus stand by efficiently utilising the available space are also included as proposals.