Latest news with #GreaterCochinDevelopmentAuthority
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Ambedkar Sports City moves a step closer to reality, tender process begins
Kochi: Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) will soon issue a tender inviting project management consultancy, which is first step towards beginning construction of Ambedkar Sports City in the city. Executive committee of the authority, held recently, gave green signal to issue the tender. The authority plans to implement the project using corporate social responsibility funds. Total estimated cost of the project is Rs 90 crore. The project is being implemented after demolishing the existing Ambedkar Stadium. The stadium, located in the city centre, was in a dilapidated condition. It was around two years ago that the executive committee of GCDA granted approval for demolition of the existing stadium to set up a sports city. Design of the new stadium is almost finalized. GCDA completed demolition of galleries of the existing stadium using Rs 2 crore allotted by 2024-25 state budget. "We are considering appointing a govt-accredited agency like Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society for the construction works. Discussions are ongoing," said a source. A football stadium will be constructed along with other sports facilities. Adequate lighting and toilet facilities will be ensured. There will be an exclusive parking area for the new stadium. Before starting the work, GCDA has to shift 72 shops that are functioning in the old stadium building. A GCDA official said the project to rehabilitate vendors will be completed soon.
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
GCDA may become first local body to serve as appropriate authority for land pooling for a major project
Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) will be the first local body to act as an appropriate authority to make available land for a major project in the State under the land pooling rules, if and when it goes ahead with land pooling for the third phase expansion of the Infopark Kochi. The State Government order dated October 18, 2024, designated the GCDA as the appropriate authority for the proposed land pooling under Section 56 of the Kerala Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act, into which land pooling rules were incorporated through an extraordinary government gazette dated March 16, 2024. 'Though we have undertaken projects like Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road, which can be construed as executed through land pooling, this is the first time a local body is being designated as the appropriate authority under the land pooling rules,' said GCDA sources. Out of the 300 acres which the GCDA proposes to make available, 100 acres would be made available to Infopark Kochi, while the remaining 200 acres would be enhanced in value through infrastructure, and a portion of it would be returned to landowners, which is at the heart of the concept of land pooling. According to the Kerala Land Pooling Rules, 30% of the land would be used for commercial, industrial, and housing purposes, and the remaining land would be returned to landowners. The municipal corporation, municipal council, town panchayat, or village panchayat may, through a resolution, decide to prepare a land pooling scheme in respect of any part of the area within its jurisdiction. Once not less than 75% of landowners of the proposed land pooling scheme area give their consent, the appropriate authority may issue the final notification for the drafting of the scheme. However, it is mandatory that the landowners who decline to give their consent should also be included in the scheme. Even if the consent is not forthcoming, the appropriate authority may, with the approval of the government, take an appropriate decision with regard to the scheme. Landowners with plots not less than five hectares in municipal corporations, seven hectares in municipalities, and 10 hectares in panchayats can apply to the appropriate authority for inclusion of their plots in a land pooling scheme in their areas.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tripunithura bus terminal project awaits govt approval for land pooling process
Kochi: Tripunithura bus terminal plan, which is part of the proposed integrated transit hub project, is awaiting govt nod to proceed with land pooling process. Earlier, Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and the municipality jointly decided to implement bus terminal project near Tripunithura Metro station through land pooling, as land acquisition in the region would escalate project cost. Months ago, GCDA informed state govt that the authority was ready to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the municipality. However, govt is yet to grant approval to proceed with the project. "We are planning to implement it as the first project with land pooling in the state. But we cannot start the process of DPR preparation without govt nod for land pooling process. Govt has to inform the decision regarding this to the municipality," said a GCDA official. The project, aimed at transforming the royal town of Tripunithura into a transit hub interconnecting Metro station, Tripunithura railway station and the proposed bus terminal, faced a major crisis due to lack of funds for land acquisition. Decision of GCDA and municipality to revive the project through land pooling rekindled fresh hopes regarding the project. Earlier, municipality announced that it would lay foundation stone for the project before June 2024. However, authorities failed to even begin the process of land acquisition or demarcation of land identified for the project.
New Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kochi corporation to launch second Samridhi outlet in Kadavanthra soon
KOCHI: Following the success of Samridhi@Kochi, an initiative that provides meals for Rs 20, the Kochi corporation is set to expand the project. Samridhi@Kadavanthra, the second outlet, will be launched next week in collaboration with the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). The new outlet will be open from 7am to 10.30pm. 'The second outlet will be opened to the public in Kadavanthra. We are also holding discussions with agencies to establish two more outlets, in Fort Kochi and Palluruthy,' Mayor M Anilkumar said. According to an official with the corporation, the new outlet will follow the same model as Samridhi@Kochi and is being set up in the building owned by GCDA. 'The price, facilities and the menu will be the same. Also, we are associating with the Kudumbashree to appoint staff for the new outlet. Staff will be appointed only after interviews and other training programmes,' the official said. In the initial stage, the facility aims to cater to working groups and common people in the Kadavanthra area. Anilkumar said the Samridhi success story is set to continue. Aiming to transform Kochi into a hunger-free city, the Kochi corporation, in the 2025-26 budget, has allocated `2 crore to set up Samridhi hotels in Fort Kochi and Palluruthy.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
GCDA plans to resume Periyar valley eco-restoration project
Kochi: The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) is planning to resume the process to implement the much-awaited Periyar Valley eco-restoration tourism development project. The project was announced two years ago and GCDA completed a preliminary study on the river and its ecosystem. However, no further steps were taken to make it a reality. "We are going to revive the project which was once shelved. We will hold discussions with the officials of different govt agencies, such as local bodies located on the banks of the Periyar River, the irrigation department, river conservation agencies, etc prior to formulating a detailed action plan regarding the project," said a GCDA source. Special action plans to prevent pollution of river water would be the highlight of the project. Steps to increase the water carrying capacity of the river, including desilting in downstream areas, eco-restoration activities by planting trees on the banks and tourism initiatives, were expected to be part of the conservation project. The authority was planning to collaborate with Green Kerala Mission for the implementation of the project. They said that it would give a boost to economic sectors along with employment generation through various initiatives as part of the project. As it would be one of the biggest river conservation projects in the state, the authority will approach the river conservation directorate under the ministry of water resources for financial support. GCDA has already earmarked Rs 1 crore for the project. Periyar is among six rivers across the country that are covered under the National River Conservation Plan, and state and central govts have already announced many conservation plans for the river. However, no projects have taken off yet.
