Date:31/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/31/stories/2008103162071100.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Kalamassery sidelined in master plan: citizens’ forum

Staff Reporter

It can be developed as a satellite township for Kochi

KOCHI: The Kalamassery Paura Samiti has alleged that Kalamassery has been sidelined while preparing the master plan for the development of Kochi.

Addressing media persons here, office-bearers of the Samiti said that no proper study has been conducted to highlight the importance of Kalamassery as a satellite township for Kochi. Constructing a bus terminal at Kalamassery and developing the railway station there would reduce the traffic problems of the city by at least 30 per cent, they said.

While Kalamassery railway station is just 10 minutes drive from Infopark, it will take more than an hour to reach either of the two railway stations in the city.

An academic centre

Besides an IT centre, Kalamassery is also a fast developing academic centre. The Cochin University of Science and Technology, two polytechnics, the cooperative medical college, model engineering college, Food Crafts Institute and many other higher education centres are situated at Kalamassery.

A convention organised by the Samiti a couple of years ago had called for constructing a KSRTC bus terminal and private bus terminal at Kalamassery. Nearly 70 per cent of the inter-district buses coming to Kochi pass through Kalamassery. If they use the National Highway, it will take the pressure off the city, it is pointed out.

Representations were also given to the Railway authorities, including Union Minister for Railways Laloo Prasad Yadav, when he visited Cusat, to allot stops for more trains at Kalamassery, they said. The proximity to the Cochin International Airport is another advantage that the township enjoys.

Truck terminal

The master plan has proposed only a truck terminal for Kalamassery. It chose to ignore the fact that along with the Airport-Seaport road, the proposed connectivity to the International Container Transhipment Terminal, Vallarpadom, will make Kalamassery the entrance to the city.

Land acquisition

The Samiti leaders pointed out that development projects outlined in the master plan will take time for implementation, as land acquisition will be a major issue.

On the other hand, Kalamassery municipality had identified space for the bus terminals long time back.

Samiti patron N.A. Mohammed Kutty, convenor Alupuram Sakeer, and office-bearers P.M. Veerakutty and N.K. Pavitran attended the press meet.