Date:27/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/27/stories/2007072750370200.htm

Kerala

Not a Singapore

Smart City, international container terminal, LNG terminal, cruise-ship terminal, metro rail, India’s first marina — these are the prominent projects lined up for the commercial capital of the State.

No doubt, they will boost Kochi’s image, once commissioned.

But then, the city does not have the infrastructure to support lakhs of people who will descend here to work in these projects.

Kochi faces a shortage of good, wide roads, garbage-treatment facilities, comfortable public transport, drains, drinking water, public parks and places of recreation.

Yet, people have begun comparing the city to Singapore (which is known for an efficient public-transport system, cleanliness and discipline) and Dubai (where road traffic is a dream).

Though residents refer to it as a metro, Kochi may be the sole big city in the country without a decent flyover.

Vehicle users are heavily dependent on traffic policemen to cross junctions, at a time when LED-supported traffic signal systems have taken over in most other places.

John L. Paul