GCDA Chairman K. Chandran Pillai addressed media staff after submitting the agency’s 2025-26 budget on March 28. Image source: RK Nithin
The larger Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) will use a land pooling approach to develop 300 acres of land for the third phase of Infopark development. In addition, GCDA Chairman K. Chandran Pillai told media staff that K. Chandran Pillai had to conduct automatic parking lots in multiple places in Kochi to guide motorists after submitting the budget for 2025-26.
Of the 300 acres of land, a total of 100 acres will be used as space for IT companies, while hotels, hospitals, sports and leisure arenas will be built in the rest of the space. For this purpose, an amount of Rs 150 crore has been set in the budget. Pillay said the government has assured all help to the land pooling project.
The budget estimates revenue is Rs 25.9 crore and expenditure is Rs 21.8 crore, of which Rs 50 lakh will be used to host events related to town planning and sustainable growth related to the agency’s anniversary celebrations.
The Ambedkar Stadium near Ernakulam KSRTC bus station will be rebuilt for Rs 90 crore to accommodate 15,000 people and host football matches. In addition to GCDA funds, corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds will also be provided for the project.
A basketball court and swimming pool have been envisioned. A total of 30 initiatives were considered to promote sporting activities in the Great Kochi area. This will be the “Happy Park” of Rs 2.5 lakh in Karimukal.
The budget also highlights the format of restaurants, cafes and tourism tours, covering Sikochi, Thripunithura and Marine Drive, and laid a 3.5 lakh rupees for that.
In addition, bus stops have been considered on Thripunithura and Chellanam. The vacant space under the Palarivattom and Vyttila overpass will be beautified for Rs 8 crore.
Funds were also split for Malad and Kakanad’s food hub, while Rs 750 crore has been allocated her hotel, Rs 2 crore for women’s fitness centre and Rs 5 crore in the shopping centre in Kakkanad.
It was reportedly turned into a hub for antisocial elements in Kaloor’s refurbished GCDA market, Mr Pillai said it would reopen once the pollution control board approves its sanctions.
Several stores there will provide reservations for women and people in the vulnerable social segment. He added that by invoking the Disaster Management Act, Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road will be removed and the encroachment of the corridor flooding will be caused.
publishing – March 30, 2025 at 01:16 am
