KOCHI: Tourism promotion through Kochi’s backwaters has got a major uplift as the Vyttila Mobility Hub authorities have decided to set up a boat jetty next to the facitlity.The executive committee of the Vyttila Mobility Hub Society that met in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday gave its in-principle nod for a boat jetty near the hub to tap the tourism potential of the less-explored water network in the area.The construction of the jetty would provide a hassle-free ride from Vyttila to Fort Kochi via Champakkara canal. Along with that, if the Vyttila Kunnara park-Mobility Hub tourism project proposed by the Corporation too becomes a reality, Kochi can count on its water transport infrastructure as a major revenue stream.The Corporation in its annual budget has come up with a novel plan to exploit the immense potential offered by the Mobilty Hub. As per the proposal, a modernised walkway will be constructed on the western side of the Champakkara canal.The walkway will connect the hub with the Kunnara Park. As the water in the area is comparatively shallow, it can be utilised for water sports. “If the Corporation has plans for commencing such a project, we will wholeheartedly support them. This will give further thrust to the activities of the hub, which will be an integrated facility of road, rail and water modes of transport,” said Vyttila Mobility Hub managing director M Beena.The Corporation authorities too are upbeat about the project. “We will soon hold a meeting to assess the possibilities of making the proposed tourism project a reality. Our plan is to entrust Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation (KITCO) with the preparation of a draft plan for the project,” said Mayor Tony Chammany.Revised DesignThe executive meeting of the Vyttila Mobilty Hub Society has decided to prepare a new design for the proposed jetty and revise the estimated cost.“We have presented the advanced design prepared by KITCO at the meeting. Though the officials were satisfied with the structural design, the agency was asked to come up with a new structure for the boat jetty that will give due importance to the aesthetic quality also. The meeting also cited the designs of advanced boat jetties in the Maldives as an example,” said Beena.She said the estimated budget of the construction of the jetty would also be revised. “The meeting observed that the Rs 2.89 crore estimate for the construction of jetty is comparatively high. So it was decided to redesign the structure and revise the budget,” she said.Beena said the Vyttila Hub society was hopeful of beginning the initial proceedings for the construction of the jetty within six months.
Comments
0 comment