Aerotropolis, Oceanarium to be new landmarks of Kochi, the Queen of Arabian Sea

Kochi, the Queen of the Arabian Sea, will have two new landmarks to boast of, in the not-too-distant future–an aerotropolis and an oceanarium. The two multi-billion projects are poised to raise Kochi’s USP as an international tourist and shopping destination.

Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has initiated the process of establishing an aerotropolis at Nedumbassery with a view to augmenting its non-aeronautical revenue. The aerotropolis will come up in the 1,253-acre property owned by CIAL, which includes the airport. The project will be implemented in association with Dubai Free Zone Authority (DFZA).

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy recently signed an agreement with the Director General of the DFZA, as per which the DFZA will leverage its logistics and administrative expertise for developing the project.

CIAL has already carried out a massive land utilisation mapping of its property based on a study by Ernst & Young to develop its city-side infrastructure. Some of the projects listed under the plan include commercial complex, themed indoor theatre, hotels, trade and cultural village, gem and jewellery park, hyper malls, food court etc.

CIAL has already commenced work on a seven-storey commercial complex opposite the Domestic Terminal. The work on the Rs.36-crore project, with around 1.25 lakh built-up area, which began in January this year, is slated for completion in two years. The project aims at creating a world-class shopping area with reputed brands for operating the retail outlets that will provide a unique shopping experience to passengers.

The 18-hole Golf Course maintained by CIAL at Nedumbasseri is already a huge hit among international and domestic travelers. CIAL recently hit headlines by becoming the first airport in the country to completely operate on solar power. The 12 MW solar power plant, comprising 46,150 solar panels laid across 45 acres near Cargo Complex, produces 50,000 to 60,000 units of electricity per day to be consumed for all the operational functions of the airport.

The Rs. 450-crore Oceanarium project proposed at Puthu Vypeen in Kochi envisages a dolphinarium, shark tanks, a marine heritage pavilion housing exotic marine animals like walrus, otter and sea lion, a stadium facility to host seal shows, underwater archaeological artefacts etc.

A restaurant with underwater vision, sheltered walk-way, an aquarium alley with more than 80 aquariums, an aqua terrarium which exhibits the underwater habitations and an estuary tank and lagoon exhibits with the marine species and coral reefs of Lakshadweep Sea are also part of the project.

The project has not made much headway because of the concerns raised by environmentalists over the impact of the project on the mangrove vegetation in the region. It is apprehended that mangrove vegetation spread over 25.16 acre would be destroyed during the execution of the project.

The State Fisheries Resource Management Society, which is implementing the project, has already obtained an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report prepared by a Hyderabad-based agency, which allays the fears expressed by environmentalists.

The report suggests mangrove afforestation in about 40 acre at appropriate locations within the Vembanad-Kole wetland system as a compensatory measure.

Also read:

Kochi Metro all set to break record: `Metro Man’ E Sreedharan makes waves in his home state

Kochi is the new favourite IT destination: Smart City, Infopark beckoning investors