India’s First International biennale to be Hosted in Cochin

India’s first international Biennale in November next year is all set to be hosted in Cochin which would be pushing Kerala's tourism appeal to new heights. A record number of 1.3 million visitors from across the world are expected to meet at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale during the three months. The event would begin on November 2012 in the heritage zones of the city in order to view works by some 75 artists from 45 countries as part of a visual arts festival taking place in Kochi and Muziris. Both Kochi and Muziris are an area  which boasts of rich and unique culture and history.

The chief promoters of the event are in talks with many corporate houses on behalf of  sponsorship including household brands such  as car companies and leading banks. All these companies are interested in supporting the event and  the promoters are hoping to forge long-term relationships with them for at least three biennales. The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is inspired by the world’s oldest Biennale in Venice, and aims to bring together superstars in the art world across the globe and young budding local talents in the centuries old city which boasts of rich legacies of Europe, Africa, South East and Far East Asian and as well as China.

The legendary Muziris port city which  existed until the flood of 1341, was discovered during the recent excavations at the nearby region in Kodungalloor. Kerala government is planning to build a tourism circuit in the near future. Muziris is actually known as the gateway to Judaism, Christianity and Islam in India and  its rich maritime history dates back to 1st century BC. The biennale comes in handy for the Kerala which wields its soft power to attract tourists.

The Kochi Biennale Foundation will be restoring the heritage buildings built by the Dutch, Portuguese, the English and the local Maharajahs to their past glory and would be left to the participating artists to exhibit their works. The cost of the maiden edition of the Biennale is estimated to be at Rs750 million and the state government would be offering a part of financial support for the same.

Kochi Metro Launches its Own Website

After  the huge uncertainty regarding the ambitious Kochi Metro rail project, the official website of the Cochin Metro rail project was launched by the Kerala Power Minister, Shri Aryadan Muhammed at Thiruvananthapuram on July 26, 2011. The launch of the website marks a major milestone in the progress of this high priority and prestigious project for Kerala.

The official website for Kochi Metro can be accessed at http://www.kochimetro.org and the website gives detailed information about the project and its implementation. Descriptions on the necessity of the Cochin metro rail project, the aim and target of the project, its detailed plan, technical data, major specialities, land needed for the project, details of land acquisition and rehabilitation facilities etc are provided in the website. The government hopes that the website launch would be a one-stop-shop for all the information that is related to the Kochi Metro project. The officials also hope that the web site would help in creating awareness on the project among the people in Kochi.

The launch of the Kochi Metro website is also a  part of the Chief Minister’s initiative to have transparency in government projects.  Tenders, GO’s, circulars and other major documents that are related to the project will also be uploaded on to the website in due course of time. The route map of the proposed metro rail line is also provided in the website.

Cochin to Male Ferry Service to Start Soon

A bi-weekly passenger-cum-ferry service between Cochin and Male (Maldives) will be starting soonn. Initially the ferry service between Cochin and Male is to be run by a private operator but facilities on either port of call should be arranged by the concerned ports.

Request for Proposal (RFP) documents along with possible terms and conditions for the service are to be considered and approved by the nodal Ministries of India and Male. Ministry of Shipping, Government of India and the Ministry of Transport and Communication, Government of Male will be initiating work on getting all necessary clearances to operationalise the ferry service at the earliest. Pending finalization of the RFP, the two sides will invite Expressions of Interests (EoI) from interested private parties for starting this ferry service. Shipping Corporation of India under the Ministry of Shipping would be assisting on the technical aspects in operationalising the service.

New Traffic Regulations in Cochin City

Based on Metro Analysis discussions held yesterday between Kochi Metro officials and District administration along with other stakeholders like City Police, Municipal council officials, Corporation the traffic to the city is planned to be streamlined once the North Railway Over Bridge (ROB) will be partly demolished for the purpose of reconstruction.

The City Traffic Police in Cochin presented he following proposals, which is submitted for Approval from the District Administration.

1. There will be traffic curbs and restrictions from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM in all parts of the Cochin city, particularly in North ROB-Kaloor area.

2. Buses plying from Kaloor Bus stand and KSRTC Buses operating to South, Boat Jetty Bus station should ply over partly demolished North ROB

3. Buses plying from Kakkanad side, operating via Edappally, will have to use  the Palarivattom Round and take diversion to Thammam road, enter into the MG Road, via TP road.
4) KSRTC Buses from Northern sides, bound to KSRTC Station in Rajaji Road, after servicing at Kaloor Bus stand, should  take diversion to Kaloor Kadavanthara road via Kathrikadavu Overbridge and enter into City via South Overbridge and reach Rajaji Road through MG Road.

5. Buses plying in Aluva-Fort Kochi route or buses from Aluva to MG Road, Chittoor Road etc should enter the city via Container road, by taking exit at Kalamasserry.

6. Non Commercial vehicles like private cars etc from the CBD to Kaloor, Edappally side, must ply thro' Chittoor Road-Ayyappankavu-Pottakuzhi-Elamakkara and reach Kaloor.

7. All Heavy commercial vehicles like freight lorries etc are banned from entering into the city during the peak hours. Heavy vehicles, containers etc are allowed to enter CBD only after 9:00 PM and must exit before 7:00 AM. And those operating, must operate via Container terminal road or South ROB.

A few roads will also  be declared as One Way roads, such as

1. Kacheripady-Valanjambalam stretch of the Chittoor Road
2. C.P Ummer Road which will be one way from North to south direction
3. St.Benatick Road will be one way from West side to East

Parkings will be prohibited in these roads and few stretches from Edappally to Banerjee Road side as well as in KK Road.

CREDAI Kerala Property Show in Cochin from July 29

The Kochi Chapter of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India(CREDAI) is  a body of real estate developers representing over 6,000 developers. The Kochi Chapter would be organising the CREDAI Kerala Property Show at Marine Drive from July 29th to  31st.

As per M V Antony,  the Chairman of CREDAI, CERA would be the main sponsor and will showcase 47 builders, seven banks and major home- accessory manufacturers in 87 stalls covering 32,000 sq ft. Apart from these, there will also  be displays of imported street cleaning machines, the CREDAI Clean City E-toilet and other stalls showing the centralised solid waste management system in apartments and gated colonies, which are part of its much anticipated corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity, the CREDAI Clean City Movement.

There will also be various competitions for adults and kids such as ‘Home interior photo session’ and ‘My dream home painting' and the shows will be from 10 am to 8 pm. Union Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi would be inaugurating the property show at 3 pm on July 29. The Show would be the largest property show of its kind in Kerala  and would help Kochiites to choose their dream homes. The Clean City Movement is a major initiative of CREDAI’s CSR activities and has been initiated to upgrade the civic amenities in Cochin.

Hi-Tech Double-Decker Boats Coming Soon in Cochin

Hi-tech double-decker boats will be coming soon in Cochin and would be flaunted by the Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA). The arrival of double decker boats would offer you an opportunity to have a  luxurious ride across the backwaters of Kochi. The air-conditioned double-decker boats would be launched by GIDA in December. The double decker boat service would be connecting the major islands of the city.

The GIDA would be using its own funds for the purchase of the double decker boats and the cost is estimated  to be around Rs 60 lakh. A tender will be called soon to identify the best suited agency for the construction of the boat. The Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation (KITCO) would also be helping in the preparation of the tender. A technical committee would scrutinize the tenders and the committee will be consisting experts from the water transport sector.

The double-decker boats in Cochin would be the most modern type and navigable even through shallow waters with a depth of around 80 cm. The upper deck of the boat will be fully air-conditioned and will connect Ernakulam-Willingdon Island-Mattanchery-Fort Kochi islands. At the same time GIDA is planning to begin ferry services to Bolgatty, Vallarpadam, Mulavukadu, Kadamakkudy and Vypeen.  New boat jetties would also be constructed in areas which lack basic facilities to support the boat services.

The Kochi Corporation is also planning to purchase new hi-tech boats under the Jawaharlal Nehru national Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). If both the projects are carried out  in a timely manner, they will surely be uplifting the water transport sector and help solve the travel woes of the islanders.

Oceanarium to be Launched near Cochin by Kerala Fisheries

India's first oceanarium is all set to be launched in Cochin which will serve as a major tourism attraction in Kochi. The project is an initiative of Kerala's Fisheries Resource Management Society (FIRMA)  and is supposed to be set up on 40 acres of government land at Puthuvype in Cochin.

Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (KSIDC) has been engaged by the government as bid manager for the project. The prestigious oceanarium project in Cochin envisages setting up a state-of-the-art fourth generation oceanarium and focuses on creating awareness about marine environment and biodiversity.


The proposed oceanarium project in Cochin would be offering unique underwater experience by showcasing aquarium alley, deep-sea tunnel, shark tank, polar pavilion,  touch tank and other entertainment facilities. A consortium of Jacques RougerieArchitecte France and Mahindra Consulting Engineers Limited has completed the detailed feasibility study and report and has also undertaken conceptual design of this project. The oceanarium project with an estimated cost of Rs 350 crore would be rolled out on Design, Built, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis through a strong and competitive bidding process.

The first stage of the selection process  would involve qualification of bidders in accordance with the provisions of Request for Qualification (RFQ). Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (KSIDC) will soon release the RFQ in order to shortlist the qualified applicants for awarding the project through competitive bidding process.