Kochi: Only days after receiving the nod for the Metro Rail project, Kochi is now pushing for the status of a metro city. The plan is to have under its ambit towns such as Vaikom, Thodupuzha, Cherthala, Kodungalloor and Chalakkudy from other districts.
Taking a cue from a proposal submitted by the Greater Cochin Development Authority, the state government is planning to take up with the Centre the elevation of Kochi as a Metro. To this end, the report proposes the formation of a Metropolitan Development Authority. A meeting has been convened in Thiruvananthapuram later this month to discuss the report titled Proposal for the Kochi Metropolitan City.
A lot of things have to fall in place. If any city in Kerala deserves the Metro status, it is Kochi, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told Express. It may be recalled that soon after taking office, Chandy had said that his government would consider the formation of a Metropolitan Council for Kochi.
We will invite representatives from the GCDA, ministers and MLAs of the proposed area and other officials concerned for the meeting later this month. The date of the meeting will be confirmed later, Urban Development and Town Planning Minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali said....
more
12:54 PM, Jul 12, 2012
