Kochi Metro rail animation

Lulu Mall Kochi opening on March 10, 2013

Lulu mall, anticipated to be the fourth largest mall in India , following High Street Phoenix Mall of Mumbai 360,000 m2 (3,900,000 sq ft), Orchid Ozone Mall of Mumbai 324,000 m2 (3,490,000 sq ft) and will be bigger than the Metro Walk Mall of Delhi 2,600,000 sq ft (240,000 m2). The mall will be the size of eighteen football grounds and 60% of the size of The Dubai Mall.



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The mall, in the Edapally area of Kochi, covers 17 acres and includes a large ice rink, muliplex cinema, restaurants, a Lulu hypermarket and a bowling alley. The developer is also building a Marriott hotel as part of the complex.

Signage describes the development as "India's largest shopping mall", but information available elsewhere suggests that it will be India's fourth-biggest mall. It is expected to create direct employment for about 8,000 staff.

Emerging Kerala 2012, 12-14th September 2012

A bouquet of opportunities for the world to take note of, Emerging Kerala 2012, is your opportunity to explore, invest and establish your business interests in Kerala. With a pro-active administration and investment-friendly policies, this is your gateway to make a mark on the industrial playground of Kerala.

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Kochi Metro 'Komet' will be ready by 2016

Image courtesy:deccanchronicle.com

With the Centre giving its clearance for the Rs.5,182 crore metro rail project, the Kochi metro is expected to be running by 2016 in the Aluva-MG Road-Pettah corridor, covering a distance of 25 km.

Kerala launches campaign to attract foreign direct investment

The Kerala government on Friday launched a campaign to attract foreign direct investment ( FDI) and said the state had unveiled a single-window mechanism for clearing investment proposals.
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A smart route map for Kochi Metro Rail

The dream IT project of Kochi, the Smart City, may soon get metro rail connectivity. The state government has decided to extend the alignment of Kochi Metro Rail to the proposed Smart City site.

The authorities will soon start the study for foxing the alignment for the new route. “We have decided to extend the alignment. It will be fixed without much delay,” said Minister Aryadan Mohammed who is in charge of the Railways in the state.
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Kerala Chief Minister:No need for anxiety with regard to Kochi Metro project

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said there was no need for any anxiety with regard to land acquisition for the much delayed Kochi Metro Rail project, which is now estimated to cost about Rs 5000 crore. The land acquisition process has to be completed within six months. The government would be formulating a new land acquisition policy keeping in mind the hardships of those who were forced to surrender their land at Moolampally, he said.

Those giving land for development projects would be entitled to various concessions and would also get market value for their land, Chandy said addressing a high level meeting of ministers, MLAs and businessmen on the Kochi Metro Rail project. The Kochi metro would be a transparent project and all information would be available on the website. Within a month, an office of the project would be opened here, he said. The government had set apart Rs 25 crore for widening of the Thammanam-Pullepady road, which would be used to divert traffic once the North overbridge, the busiest in Kochi, is widened.
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Kochi to get country's first health mall

A one-stop solution for all medical and health needs -- from doctors, hospitals, ayurveda centres, pharmacies and even insurance referral units -- will open in a 10-storied mall in this Kerala city.

The BCG group, a Rs.500-crore business conglomerate, is building the country's first multidisciplinary health mall here and it will be open by August, a company official said Thursday.

Spread over 110,000-square feet, the mall will include retail stores dealing with pharmacy, optical ware, skin care products, cosmetics, ayurvedic, herbal, organic, health foods, health and medical equipment, Rekha C. Babu, CEO of BCG Group, told reporters.

A separate floor will be for allied services where medical colleges, hospitals, ayurvedic centres and insurance companies can set up their referral centres.
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Real Estate in Kochi ready to flourish

Property developers in Kochi can look forward to brighter prospects with the International Container Transshipment Terminal at Vallarpadam being inaugurated and the hurdles cleared for the realisation of the SmartCity project.

The Rs.2,500-crore Cyber City project in the private sector will be another propellant of demand for commercial and housing property.

There has been a delay of four years in reaching the agreement on SmartCity, but the State's economy will turn upwards with the kind of development taking place, especially the Vallarpadam terminal, says Najeeb Zakaria, president, Kochi branch of Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Association of India.
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Kochi Vallarpadam container terminal Corporate Videos

ICTT Inauguration - Cochin Port - Video
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PM inaugurates Vallarpadam Container Terminal

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dedicated to the nation the Rs 3,200-crore International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at nearby Vallarpadam, a major expansion project of Cochin Port Trust. The rail and road projects were also inaugurated by the prime minister.

Governor R S Gavai, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, Defence Minister A K Antony, Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi, Union Ministers Prof K V Thomas, Dr C P Joshy, G K Vasan, Mukul Roy, E Ahamed, Mullappally Ramachandran, K C Venugopal, Kochi Port Trust chairman N Ramachandran took part in the inaugural function. Representatives from Dubai led by D P World chairman Sultan Ahamed bin Sulyaminray attended the function.
Dr Singh in his inaugural speech said the Vallarpadam terminal will develop the district. He opined that along with the project, the water transport should be given importance.

Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, who spoke on the occasion, requested the PM to take personal interest in fulfilling the Kochi metro and Palakaad railway coach factory projects.
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PM to inaugurate Kochi international container terminal tomorrow

India's first International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (ICTT) in the Special Economic Zone at nearby Vallarpadam Island is all set to be dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tomorrow.

The total cost of the first and second phase of the terminal is pegged at around Rs 6,250 crore. When completed, the terminal will be able to handle 4 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of cargo per annum. The first phase of the project is ready to handle one million TEUs per annum.

The project will be operated by Dubai Port World (DPW) and aims to make Kochi a key centre in the shipping world, reducing India's dependence on foreign ports to handle trans-shipment requirements, Cochin Port sources said.

Once fully developed, the ICTT, a part of the expansion project at the Cochin Port, would be the largest individual terminal in India. As part of the project, India's longest railway bridge -- 4.62 km long -- was set up over the Vembanad Lake, thereby establishing rail connectivity to Vallarpadam from the mainland.

Port sources said ICTT will generate additional employment opportunities, facilitate investment flow to the tune of Rs 7,500 crore and help in the development of port-based industries to transform Kochi into an economic hub. However, the project is being commissioned at a time when the 326 families that were evicted for setting up the terminal at Vallarpadam are yet to get a roof over their head. Former Supreme Court Judge V R Krishna Iyer has said the move to commission the project without rehabilitating the evictees was 'shameful'.
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Vallarpadam container terminal to be inaugurated on Feb 11

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh willdedicate to the nation on February 11 the Rs 3,200-croreInternational Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at nearbyVallarpadam, a major expansion project of Cochin Port Trust.

Dubai Ports World (DPW), the terminal''s operator, hadcompleted construction of the modern terminal which would havestate-of-the-art cargo handling equipment, Cochin Port TrustChairman N Ramachandran told reporters here.


As per the agreement between CPT and DPW, the constructionof the terminal, its equipment and operations would be theresponsibility of DPW while the port would ensure road andrail connectivity to the project site and deepening of theshipping channels.
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Today’s meet may end deadlock of Smartcity Kochi

A breakthrough in the deadlock over the Smart City Kochi project is likely on Wednesday with the Governments of Kerala and Dubai having a one to one discussion. A delegation led by member of Supreme Committee for Dubai World Group and Dubai Holding Group Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer will be holding a meeting with Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan at his official residence at 12 noon. It will be followed by a formal meeting at the Mascot Hotel here.

Highly placed sources in the State Government said that the Government would be offering free hold rights over 12 percent of the total land earmarked for the project, but within the special economic zone. The delegation representing the Dubai Government is likely to accept this.

NRK businessman M A Yusuf Ali had already held deliberations with the Dubai Government representatives. Yusuf Ali is also likely to be part of the Dubai Government delegation. The Dubai Government delegation will also include TECOM group chief executive officer Abdul Latif Al Mulla and deputy chief executive officer of SmartCity Kochi Adnan Chilwan. ‘’If an understanding is reached on Wednesday’s meeting, the construction works for the SmartCity Kochi project could begin in another month,’’ IT Secretary Suresh Kumar said.
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SmartCity Kochi Decision within two days: Minister S.Sharma

A decision on the future of the SmartCity project will be taken within two days, S.Sharma, Minister for Fisheries said on Tuesday. A discussion was held in Dubai on Monday regarding the project he said. The minister said that the government is hopeful towards the implementation of the project.

Sharma said that the LDF government is not ready to compromise on its earlier terms regarding the controversial project.

Now, a litigation over Kochi's name

The Kerala High Court on Monday admitted a public interest litigation contending that no area other than Cochin Corporation, and those included in Kochi taluk, should be called Cochin.

The petitioner submitted that the names Kochi and Cochin confuse those coming from outside the state.

For flight ticket bookings, the name of Kochi is shown as Cochin. The name of railway station is still known as Ernakulam.

The distinction between Kochi, Cochin and Ernakulam are confusing the outsiders, and in the circumstances it requires clarification.

"The area coming within the Cochin Corporation area, other than those included in Kochi taluk, cannot be called Cochin unless the government issues a notification officially changing the name of the Cochin Corporation," the petitioner submitted.

Kochi Gold and Diamond Park

Delhi-based Aerens Gold Souk International today said it is setting up a 33-acre Gold and Diamond Park at a cost of Rs 450 crore at nearby Kalamassery. The park is conceived as a landmark for jewellery manufacturers, retailers, artisans, exporters and wholesalers to interact, network, source and promote business prospects, a company release said Thursday.

Aerens Gold Souk International Vice-Chairman and Joint Managing Director Ashish Gupta said the manufacturing facility at the park will be ready by September 2011 and it may take three more years to complete the project.

The new venture will help facilitate standardisation in the industry, creation of products that are acceptable in international markets, provide steady employment opportunities and make available latest technologies with a view to preserving Kerala's traditional jewellery industry.

"Encouraged by the success of the Gold Souk Grande mall in Kochi, we plan to set up two more malls at Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode with an investment of Rs 150 crore each. The company has spent Rs 100 crore for the Kochi project," he said. Aerens Gold Souk Group is a four decade old diversified conglomerate that has interests in real estate, retail, entertainment and hospitality sectors.

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Vyttila Mobility Hub

Vyttila Mobility Hub is an integrated transit terminal in the city of Kochi.. It is designed as a converging point of various forms of public transportation, such as local and long distance buses, metro rail and water transport. The first phase, consisting of the terminal for long distance buses and the basic amenities, started construction in December, 2010. When fully implemented, it will have facility to integrate all modes of public transportation, as well as for shopping, entertainment and hospitality.


The tenders for the construction of first phase has been granted to Nagarjuna constructions from among seven companies which submitted tenders. The selection was on account of quoting the lowest amount for the execution of the project and the first phase of the project be completed by February 2011. After completion it will be largest bus terminus in the Kerala state and third largest in South India.


Work on Vytilla mobility hub inaugurated
State Fisheries Minister S. Sarma inaugurated the construction work of Vytila Mobility Hub in Kochi today. The project aims at solving a good share of commuting problems in the city by creating amenities in and around the Vytilla Junction, by integrating different modes of transport like roadways, metro rail, railways and waterways.

From Vytilla, public transport systems can provide connectivity with the western and eastern parts of the city, West Kochi, and also regional hubs like Vypeen, Palarivattom, Kakkanad, Thripunithura and Aroor. Vytilla is also well- connected with National Highways 47, 17 and 49, the seaport and the airport.

The proposed metro rail passes through the junction and National Waterway III is located close by. By basing operations in Vytilla, the KSRTC and private buses would be able to save huge amounts on fuel, apart from the time saved in not entering the city. Thus, the Vytilla mobility hub has evolved as a natural remedy and is envisioned as a long-term solution to Kochi’s transporting problems.

http://www.vyttilamobilityhub.com

Skycity Kochi

What is Skycity Kochi Project?
Yasoram Skycity is a Flyover, designed with the prime intention of reducing traffic in Kochi City and for boosting tourism and economic activity of the region.

The Skycity will extend from Kundannoor near NH 47 Byepass in the south to Sahodaran Ayyappan Road in the north, passing above the Chilavannoor Bund Road and the Backwaters. Another stretch of the Skycity will extend from the Sahodaran Ayyappan Road to the Subhash Chandrabose Road

• Flyover bridge that runs 30 ft above land and backwaters
• 3 storied shopping complexes, residential apartments and commercial hubs
• Supermarkets, community halls, entertainment multiplexes, restaurants, hotels, garment and jewellery showrooms, two and three wheeler automobile showrooms etc.
• Corporate offices, business centres, IT/ITES and BPO operations, Banking and financial institutions etc.
• Amusement centres, health centres, water sports facility, oceanarium, theme park
• 12 m wide 4 lane expressway
• 5 m wide car parking on both sides of the road and additional car parking on the building top – facility can accomodate 7,500 cars in all
• 2 m wide footpaths on both sides
• 6.6 m wide building on base floor and 8.6 m wide building on the first and second floors on both sides
• Cable car at an 80 ft height offering panoramic view of Kochi city

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Sobha Hi-Tech City:Rs 5,000 cr Kochi project on course

Bangalore-based realty major Sobha Developers has said its Rs 5,000 crore hi-tech city project in Kochi is delayed as the company is awaiting clearances from the central government.

While necessary state approvals are in, the clearances from the Centre under the Coastal Regulation Management Act and environmental clearances are yet to be attained, Sobha Developers senior official Mr Mathew Francis said. The mega project was to come up at Maradu village on Kochi outskirts.

“On receipt of these clearances only, the master plan for the project can be submitted for final approval,” Mr Francis, who is the area head, said.

Way back in August 2007, Sobha had inked an MoU with Kerala to build a Rs 5,000 crore ‘Sobha Hi-Tech City’ The pact involved the company developing a 400 acre and the state had agreed to bring the project under single-window clearance, besides agreeing t o provide electricity, gas, water, sewerage system, telecom etc.

The project would offer seven million sqft of knowledge park, shopping malls and avenues, hotels, resorts and leisure and entertainment facilities, residential complexes and all related infrastructure including world-class marina.

On completion, the ‘Sobha Hi-Tech City’ is expected generate 75,000 direct jobs. The project was initially proposed to be completed in eight years.

On the heels of company selling its 50 acres in prime Pune IT corridor for Rs 114 crore, a section of media has reported that the company was thinking of monetising the huge swathe of land near the commercial capital of Kerala.

Dismissing these reports as baseless, Mr Francis said that the company is not abandoning the mega project.

If stayed on course, this would be one of the largest investments in the otherwise investment-starved Kerala.

Meanwhile, the first phase of Sobha City in neighbouring Thrissur is is already complete, Mr Francis said.

The Sobha City spans over 55 acres and consists of 18 lakh sq ft of residential space and over five lakh sq ft of commercial space. The group has 80 acres of land in Thrissur and it is awaiting government approval for the remaining 25 acres.

Mr Francis said the company reported a two-fold jump in net profit at Rs 58.9 crore for the quarter ended September. - PTI

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