Metro chief presses on attracting tourists, investments
KMRL managing director Elias George making a presentation at FICCI Kerala State Council annual meet in Kochi on Monday. (Photo: DC/File)
Kochi: Kochi ought to be branded as a global city as it qualified for such a tag. But the State had to ensure that its civic problems were also solved, said Elias George, Managing Director, Kochi Metro Rail Limited, here on Monday.
“Kerala should brand Kochi as a tourist destination and a locale for high quality investment in IT, healthcare, high value-added industry and services,” George said, making a presentation at the annual meet of the Kerala Chapter of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in Kochi on Monday.
Pointing out that Kochi had several unique sales points such as its backwaters, equitable quality of life and excellent healthcare facilities, he said cities like Barcelona, Paris, and Madrid were promoted in a similar manner.
Commenting on the unique connectivity advantage Kochi offered, he said: “Seventy per cent of India’s data-traffic makes landfall at Kochi. It hosts one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world. Kochi is acknowledged as one of the most vibrant tier-two cities in the country.”
On the flip side, Kochi had to improve its transportation infrastructure and solid waste management system. It should clean up its canals too, he said.
Kochi Metro was only one of the elements of a total transportation makeover plan for Kochi, the Metro chief said. The Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) would bring the operation, command and control of Kochi’s infrastructure systems under one umbrella.
KMRL was envisaging “a seamless transportation network and system for Kochi, which included buses, boats, metro and suburban rail,” he said.
The Transit Oriented Development model proposed for the city involved the setting up of urban facilities around the 22 Metro stations by redesigning urban spaces.
Kinfra Managing Director G.C.Gopala Pillai said what the State needed was a mindset change if it were to seek more investment. Dr Arbind Prasad, Director General, FICCI, New Delhi, also addressed the meet. M.G.George Muthoot, Chairman, FICCI, Kerala Council, presided.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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