The KochiNow Blog

JOE THOMAS
The Build Succeed Expand initiative involves the concept of macro vision, micro implementation and planned expansion of an initiative involving public participation, government private partnerships. Kerala stands to benefit a lot from this model because of the homogeneity of the population in the state, inter connectivity between towns and existing natural resources. Infrastructure projects the world over have been and continue to be the single largest contributor for the economic stimulus of an economy. It creates opportunities for more jobs, drives ancillary business opportunities, promotes spending and helps in the circulation of money in the market, which is the single most important element for growth.

Kerala is starting late on the growth band wagon, but that does not necessarily mean a bad thing. It has the opportunity to assess and learn from mistakes in other states and cities and plan for those contingencies and beyond when executing these projects. It is important to have public participation in projects that are envisioned because it helps to understand people’s concerns, plan and address the relevant concerns and discard non-relevant issues there by sharpening vision with facts on ground for the common success of the project.

Cochin is well poised to be the ideal test bed for the infrastructure initiative without which, it will witness one of the biggest market corrections when all the hype is leveled out with ground realities of incapable infrastructure.

Fundamental requirements:

Infrastructure - Water, Electricity, Roads, Communication, Sewage
Connectivity - Air, Land, Sea
Infrastructure
Cochin can never realize any of its potential until it can clear its existing choke points that are left un-completed. Sadly, these become a testament to success or failure of an idea or vision when projects are mired by inexcusable delays, cost overruns and lack of political will. There are numerous projects in this category that have taken a toll on development. They need to be addressed immediately and in a time bound fashion to instill trust in the public and in investors who would like to invest in Cochin. Talking about Kochi metro or 4 lane road expansion is laughable and incomprehensible when projects that should have long been completed years ago stand in our face as ghost reminders of poor vision, execution and will.
Examples are:
Sahodaran Ayyapan road expansion
Pullepady bridge and road connectivity
Edapally bridge and connectivity
Road surfacing conditions of Kaloor ,Kadavanthara road.

There is no other place in the world where a contractor lacks accountability for his work as much as we see in Kerala. Standards and Accountability needs to be the paramount emphasis of a change in mentality that must come prior to even conceptualizing a vision. There should be one common standard established for road surfacing requirements with stipulations and heavy fines on contractors not meeting requisite standards. In addition, the roads and associated maintenance must be guaranteed by bond at least for a period of 5 years. Pathetic state of Kaloor Kadavanthara road which was meant to be an efficient by pass for diverting congestion in the city became a nightmare and health risk for innumerable citizens, while the politicians and contractors did nothing. There is no excuse for such apathy in a city that is responsible for bringing in almost two thirds of state revenue collected in taxes. Road construction and management must be left to private national builders with reputation of success rather than local contractors who sideline accountability and do not execute such projects professionally. In addition, there must exist one common standard for road surfacing as is with rest of the world. Repetitive road maintenance on poorly constructed roads has resulted in incalculable losses in overspending with no benefits to the city and its general public.

Cochin needs to focus on the following 4 areas on war footing with sufficient planning to account for growth in the next 25 years.

1. Clean drinking water availability - This is one of the major infrastructure undertaking that must happen at all costs to ensure that KWA in association with or without private entities can put together a project plan to leverage natural resources to supply water for greater cochin for the next 25 years or more. This is a mammoth task, but it has been done and can be done with the vision and will. Los Angeles would have continued to be a desert if not for the vision of an engineer that channeled water from snow peaked mountains more than 200 miles away and it continues to be one of the most significant aqua duct water project for the city even today!

2. Roads - “Build it and they will come”. The famous words of Theodore Roosevelt continue to have profound impact in the world and visionaries around the world. Transportation infrastructure will change the face of a city like no other. Transportation infrastructure requires planning for express ways, uninterrupted highways, feeder lanes, fly over’s and having a common standard for road surfacing. Distance becomes a stigma only when accessibility becomes a barrier. Open the possibilities for accessibility and barriers to distance will be broken. No other state in India can have a profound impact with better connectivity of roads than in Kerala because, Kerala with better and faster interconnectivity between cities and towns will provide the best options for an investor with 4 international airports (including one proposed, and interconnected string of towns and cities).

A proven model for “Build it and they will come” philosophy in Kerala is Veegaland. Despite the lack of poor road connectivity and the distance from the city, the “experience” factor of Veegaland draws in crowds from far and near and is a testament to repeat phenomenon accomplished by Walt Disney.

3. Communication Infrastructure - This is one area we have made some significant strides and also have a strategic advantage because of the location, and international gateway connectivity. Cochin should focus on providing low cost/free wi-max connectivity within the entire city or even the whole state.

4. Sewage/Garbage - Solid waste management, environment friendly landfills and recycling, hazardous waste separation and management
The Centre’s Rs 50,000-crore Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM can be tapped for some of the funding. As well as Sustainable Cities Programme (SCP) supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) it requires the involvement of both the public and private sectors, as well as community organizations, in order to achieve successful results is financed by International Development Agency (IDA) of World Bank.
Another is Sub-National Development Technical Assistance Program (PPIAF-SNTA) This help sub-national entities improve their creditworthiness so they can access market-based financing on their own account without sovereign guarantees. This new program is to help mobilize local capital for improvements in infrastructure services and promote the development of local financial markets. Responsibility for meeting the enormous demand for new and better infrastructure services in developing countries increasingly has shifted from national to sub-national entities. these entities, typically local governments or utilities, often lack the policy and institutional frameworks and especially the financial resources to fulfill this responsibility. Filling this financial gap is not easy. Traditional sources of sub-national financing require sovereign guarantees, which are often inadequate because of fiscal constraints at the national level or policies to promote local financial accountability.
The PPIAF-SNTA program will provide technical assistance grants to support local governments and other sub-national entities:
• Access financing for infrastructure improvements from banks or bond markets without relying on sovereign guarantees

• Obtain a credit rating or improve their rating from a recognized credit rating agency

• Take measures to enhance their creditworthiness to potential lenders with a view to achieving one of the above
Local governments with responsibilities for delivering infrastructure services along with utilities, authorities, special districts, and state-owned enterprises, will be eligible to receive the grants. Development finance institutions with a primary focus on infrastructure lending will also be eligible.
In India , 35 urban local bodies already have local currency credit ratings and 10 have accessed capital markets to help expand and finance infrastructure services. Amedabad Municipal Corporation was the first to get a credit rating and access the local finance market through a US $25 million equivalent municipal bond issue without a sovereign guarantee in 1998. Around 100 local political subdivisions, who are responsible for the development of roads and electricity also have credit ratings. They have financed capital investments both from commercial banks and bond markets, and are beginning to source foreign currency loans on attractive terms.

Sewage & Drainage- Sewage and drainage are other two areas which require immediate attention. City and district councils can provide information on sewerage and waste water systems, including septic tanks. Councils are responsible for managing local sewerage and waste water systems to ensure that they meet the needs of the existing and future population and are well maintained. They must also ensure that interested parties have access to accurate information and advice to make things better. Only if proper and timely infrastructural development coincides with housing and other facilities will development give the real impetus to Kochi to attract investment and, thereby, sustain the ongoing economic prosperity and boom witnessed in the city agglomeration. Major initiatives were required for integrated water management, up gradation of sewerage and drainage facilities, and efficient waste management. Various cities like Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam were running waste tre atment plants successfully. It should also include setting up desalination plants and wastewater treatment plant where necessary.

THE NEED FOR A SEPARATE GOVERNING BODY FOR PPP’S IN INFRASTRUCTRURE PROJECTS .

For a PPP P3 or Public Private Participation Project to be executed they need to have both clarity and precision.The Administrative machinery of Municipal Corporation’s like Cochin don’t allow the execution of PPP projects because they have to follow a certain formalities and procedures. The Kerala Government needs to create separate body for executing PPP with special incentives and emphasis given to Infrastructure. For starters the Kerala Government and Legislature should pass legislation for the creation of a APEX GOVERNING BODY for executing PPP’s like the KPPPC or the Kerala Public Private Participation Council. The ideal location for its head office would be Cochin because of its central location. Under the councils umbrella there would be a lot of bodies dealing with a governing the different infrastructure areas requiring PPP capital as well as other PPP investments according to the nature of the project.

THE NEED FOR A REGULATORY BODY FOR REGULATING PPP’S IN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
Keralites have yet to realise that, as market economics spreads its tentacles, tolls, like user fees and sales tax, will become an inevitable part of life

Tarrifs for electricity, tolls for bridges and roads along with other infrastructure sectors. All modern economies, therefore, recognize the need for sound regulation of securities markets. This is needed not just for proper functioning of these markets, but also for their very survival. It is good regulation that will ensure that markets are safe and perceived to be safe by the public at large. It is good regulation that will ensure that necessary information is available to the public so that they can take informed decisions about investments. It is good regulation that will further ensure that while engines of growth are allowed to move at full speed, there is no space for manipulators in the system. Individual citizens can participate in the capital market, both directly and indirectly, through financial institutions, such as mutual funds, pension funds and insurance companies.
Building of urban infrastructure requires large funds, but there are limitations on budgetary allocation of funds for projects. This situation underscores the need for public-private participation (PPP) in various projects for urban development.
Infrastructure projects should aim at integration of satellite towns with larger cities, taking future needs into consideration. A variety of projects could be taken up under PPP in urban areas. People’s participation should be ensured in these projects. Several PPP projects have been successfully implemented in a host of cities. Municipal corporations are required to follow certain formalities and procedures and sometimes these came in the way of executing PPPs. The lack of a master plan had affected Cochin’s growth and partnership arrangements need clarity and precision. The overall response to the call to promote PPP as the preferred mode for the implementation of infrastructure was encouraging but, limited to a few sectors. Weakness in enabling policy and regulatory framework in most of the infrastructure sectors continued to be a constraint. There was a need to make sector policies and regulations PPP friendly. A large number of projects without the active participation of the state government would not be possible to achieve desired results. Various schemes to finance infrastructure projects and especially on the Ministry of Finance scheme of Viability Gap Funding (VGF). The Ministry of Finance has also encouraged four Credit Rating companies ICRA, CRISIL, FITCH and CARE to rate infrastructure projects and, also the SPVs. The limiting factor to take PPP process forward was capacity limitation in public institutions to manage and inadequate capacity in the private sector. Success in PPP project was closely linked with a strong champion within the government. For PPPs to be successful, the Central and State Governments will have to create policy frameworks for private investment, develop political will and mechanism to collect user charges, develop long-term debt and equity financing mechanisms, offer funding to generate bankable projects and build project management capabilities in the public sector. Delhi Metro, the Metro Airports, NHAI, Ports development are some of the shining examples of success in the projects executed in the PPP mode. There is also a need to create statutory bodies or independent regulators like SEBI to to protect the interest of investors, users or consumer, regulate tariffs etc. These bodies will have quasi judicial function. It will be very convenient since the Kerala High Court is located in COCHIN. All modern economies, therefore, recognise the need for sound regulation of securities markets. This is needed not just for proper functioning of these markets, but also for their very survival. It is good regulation that will ensure that markets are safe and perceived to be safe by the public at large. It is good regulation that will ensure that necessary information is available to the public so that they can take informed decisions about investments. It is good regulation that will further ensure that while engines of growth are allowed to move at full speed, there is no space for manipulators in the system. Individual citizens can participate in the capital market, both directly and indirectly, through financial institutions, such as mutual funds, pension funds and insurance companies. It is the task of the securities regulator to look after the interests of the investor .If the regulator is able to ensure that the price discovery process is both efficient and transparent, with high disclosure and regulatory standards and with sound liquidity and risk management in place, the concerns of individual investors and consumers will be adequately addressed. As more private capital enters the infrastructure sector there will be increasing need to regulate.

Cochin, the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala State, has a population of over 670,000, about one third of whom live in poverty.The Cochin Urban Poverty Reduction project (CUPRP) aims to ensure better access by the
poor and vulnerable to improved livelihood opportunities and services. The project builds on decentralisation and the People’s Planning programme through developing processes to ensure that the needs of the most poor and vulnerable are reflected in local plans and resource allocation.
To help ensure sustainability, Cochin UPRP has deliberately worked through, and built upon, existing CDS structures by helping them to develop their capacity to ensure that the concerns of the most vulnerable are
heard and addressed. Today for instance,there are more than 1200 active women’s groups in Cochin covering over 41,000 poor families. The Cochin Corporation has over  25 contracts with local NGOs to deliver services to the poor.
Through participatory planning processes, the needs of the most vulnerable are beginning to be reflected
in local plans and their collective capacity to express and demand
their needs has been strengthened. Planning processes at slum level have evolved from ones requiring external support to ones facilitated by teams at the grassroots level.
Through strengthening the capacity of poor people’s organisations, such as the CDS, the quality and sustainability of the planning process has been enhanced. The Cochin CDS has developed a much stronger political and institutional network, enabling it to reach the poorest and most vulnerable, especially poor women. Poor women, through the CDS, are now represented in Ward Committees, where decisions about spending People’s Planning Budgets are made. Neighbourhood Groups have been included and formalised within the city governance system, and three women from the city-level CDS have been elected as councillors in the City Corporation.
Building Capacities,Strengthening Resilience,ReducingVulnerability
The Cochin Urban Poverty Reduction Project shows one city working with partners toimprove opportunities for all its citizens, including poor and disadvantaged people.
Such processes of change are never straightforward; difficulties and tensions areinherent. Drawing poor people into decision-making and generating innovative approaches to urban planning requires officials to question their accepted ways ofworking, which is never an easy task. In Cochin, many of these tensions are being
resolved and confidence in new approaches to participation and partnership is growing. As the project comes to a close, the sustainability of the new processes will depend on women remaining confident that the CDS
system works for them, and on the commitment of the Kerala government to the new institutional arrangements being
developed in Cochin Corporation throughthe project. It is early days yet.
Experience in Cochin indicates that longtermreduction in urban poverty meansworking on three fronts: setting up the institutional frameworks to integrate city development within national strategies and
policies; improving today’s quality of life, and building the skills, capacities andinstitutions to confront the challenges of tomorrow. Social sustainability is a lengthy process. It is not determined in the future
but in the actions, strategies andcommitments made in the present

Blogging on the city’s development issues gets a new face from today.  This blog will present views and opinions of various people who are passionate about Kochi.

Views expressed on these blogs are purely the opinions of the respective authors, and are not to be considered as opinions of KochiNow.

GAINESVILLE, Florida, June 30, 2008 - The active travel company with the funny name, Pedalers Pub & Grille (PP&G), inaugurates “India - A Royal Odyssey” with its first-ever foray into this diverse and exotic land. Departing on Nov. 24, 2008, the 12-day trip pedals across the southern tip of India to explore the temple complexes and villages of Tamil Nadu before moving to the wildlife and tea/spice plantations of Munnar Hills, the waterways of western Kerala and the trading seaport of Cochin.

The active cycling adventure will be repeated on Nov. 23, 2009. Except for international air, the program is all-inclusive at $3,450 (double) with a single supplement of $690. The tour begins in Madras and ends in Trivandrum.

The rate includes accommodations in luxury hotels, guesthouses and resorts, all meals, bilingual guides, full van support, daily route directions and maps, sightseeing and cultural activities, plus airport transfers. Personal departures may be scheduled year round for private groups and bike clubs with the most popular season running from November to March when the days are typically sunny and warm.

Over the course of the trip, which is rated moderate in level of difficulty, cyclists will roll inn to inn covering 439 miles (712 km), averaging 44 miles (71 km) per day.

Highlights include lunching with tea pluckers; a night at Cochin’s Bolgatty Palace, the one-time residence of the British Governor in the early 1900s; dolphin-spotting from Kerala’s palm-fringed beaches and visiting India’s Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary that is home to elephants, tigers (Periyar is part of Project Tiger), wild dogs, macaque monkeys, sambar deer and a variety of birds. More details can be found online at:
www.pedalerspubandgrille.com/bike_tours/india/Royal_Odyssey.htm

“We chose this route and region due to its incredible scenery and cultural diversity,” says Tom Sheehan, founder and general manager. “This is not your typical, mass market tour of India. We take time to visit unusual sites and witness local life and ancient traditions mostly overlooked by larger, packaged tours.”

Annually, PP&G offers multiple set departures and custom trips to 18 exotic destinations in Asia, the South Pacific and Alaska. The company has been conducting cycling tours of these regions since the 1980’s and is known for creating spontaneous, up close and personal cultural encounters along its well-researched cycling routes.

Asia’s most seasoned bicycle tour operator, Pedalers Pub & Grille specializes in sag wagon supported road bike tours. They organize rides that are geared toward cycling enthusiasts, featuring longer daily rides designed to fill the day with adventure, while still allowing sufficient time for “off the bike” exploration at fascinating stops along the route. Accommodations are carefully chosen to provide modern western amenities, a comfortable night’s rest and an immersion in the local culture and lifestyle. Meals are a celebration of local beverages and cuisine. Trips are led by either a bi-lingual international guide living in the area or a native born guide fluent in English, complimented by an English speaking support crew from that country. All levels of riders are welcome, from energetic beginners to elite cyclists.
Travel Video .TV

State-owned oil marketing firm Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) has lined up its retail foray in Cochin and Jaipur with assistance from property consultants Trammell Crow Meghraj (TCM).

HPCL plans to build malls with multiplexes, food courts, hotels, convention centres, amusement parks besides commercial complexes and premium residential apartments at the 60-odd acres of land available with it in the two cities.

The Cochin project will be the first to get off the ground and the projected yield from this project, excluding the sale of residential flats, is pegged in the range of Rs 30 to 40 crore annually. Sale of flats is estimated to add another Rs 100 crore to the company’s bottomline.

Of the four models proposed by its consultant, HPCL has zeroed in on the joint venture partnership model with a private developer for development and management of the property.

The JV partner will construct and market the retail facilities and HPCL will bring in land as equity. The net revenues will be shared between HPCL and the other party in proportion of HPCL equity (including land cost) and partner’s equity construction cost.

This arrangement, according to HPCL, offers the highest value for HPCL as it gives it proportionate profit sharing without any capital investment. However, a final decision in this regard will be taken only after the approval of the company’s board.

HPCL currently owns huge chunks of prime real estate in several cities in the form of oil depots, terminals, LPG plants, housing colonies and retail outlets. At many such places, the operations have been shifted to other locations resulting in vacant land lying unused.

The other three options proposed by TCM were: forming a joint venture with a real estate fund, tie-up with integrated retail developers on BOOT basis and investment by HPCL itself in the development and construction of the property besides carrying out its own marketing and management of the complex. HPCL’s retail consultant, TCM has been associated with leading malls in the country like High Street Phoenix, Centre One, InorbitCentral Mall, Forum, Metropolls and Inox.
Indian Reality News

does a commendable analysis of the
traffic scenario in the metropolis. As this blog has
been emphasizing, its Kochi that attracts most of the
investments in Kerala, hence this only metro of
the state must get maximum support infrastructure.
Otherwise, it will choke the growth of tax revenue
for Kerala govt - over 60% of the tax revenue is
generated from Kochi.

Massive investments in projects needed
K. A. Martin

Lack of urgency holds up implementation of a number of projects

Photo: H. Vibhu

ALMOST COMPLETE: The Pulleppady overbridge.

KOCHI: Kochi’s urgent requirement for massive infrastructure development stands in sharp contrast with the snail pace of project implementation in the city. From the 12-year delay in developing Sahodaran Ayappan Road to taking steps suggested by Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) way back in April 1991, the city looks unable to catch up with its future.

Investments needed

Massive investments in a slew of projects, including the international container transshipment terminal, are knocking at Kochi’s doors and the crying need is for infrastructure like flyovers, rail overbridges and broader roads.

The Pulleppady rail overbridge, the key to linking the east and west halves of the city, awaits commissioning, three years after the completion of a major portion of the overbridge.

Twenty-five metres of the bridge remain to be completed by the Railways. Several other projects have not even been taken up despite their importance to the growth of the city.

This include the flyovers on National Highways at the Kundannoor, Vyttila and Palarivattam junctions.

Rail overbridges at Ponnurunny, Atlantis and Vaduthala-Pacchalam too need to be taken up in a time-bound manner. Full story

Infrastructure fails to keep pace with growing city

R. Ramabhadran Pillai

Rail, road connectivity to Vallarpadam faces hurdles; Metro in a limbo

Photo: H. Vibhu

CHOCK-A-BLOCK: The city streets are scenes of constant traffic jams these days.

KOCHI: Kochi’s image as a city of high growth potential has helped the real estate to grow, but the implementation of several infrastructure projects in the city has been on a slow pace. While some of the international projects initiated in the city have a time-frame for completion, the uncertainty over the infrastructure projects remains a matter of concern.

The work on the rail connectivity to the Vallarpadam container terminal has suffered major setbacks with the acquisition of land running into trouble. The issue pertaining to evictees at Moolampilly, one of the localities situated along the proposed route, had snowballed into a controversy. Though a scheme was drawn up to settle the issue, discontent has not totally died down.

The road project to connect the container terminal too has met with major roadblocks. The residents of Vaduthala, a place along the planned road, had opposed the route right from the beginning. Full story

Traffic snarls a regular feature

G. Krishnakumar

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Unscientific planning remains the bane of the city. Road widening projects have come to a halt in many areas, thanks to red-tapism and lack of funds.

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KOCHI: It is 9.30 a.m. Decibel levels at Sahodaran Ayyappan Road have long exceeded the acceptable ranges. The entire stretch is teeming with persistently honking vehicles.

A screaming ambulance tries desperately to steer its way through this route locked in both directions. Inside the ambulance, Ramesh, the driver, is sweating and stretching out to the drivers seeking help. After a painful wait, he somehow manages to squeeze his way out from the bottleneck.

“It has become a regular thing to get trapped in this congestion. It takes at least 20-25 minutes for an ambulance to reach Pallimukku junction from Vyttila on a busy day. The toughest part is to clear the Kadavanthara-Panampilly Nagar-South Railway over bridge stretch,” says Mr. Ramesh. Full story

Elamkulam bridge to be widened soon

K.S. Sudhi

Many more infrastructure projects to be taken up

KOCHI: The widening of the bridge near Elamkulam along the Sahodaran Ayyappan road, the first road infrastructure project to be implemented for Kochi, will begin within a fortnight.

Kochi is banking heavily on the projects that are implemented with the support of the Asian Development Bank and the ones sanctioned by the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission for materialising its infrastructure dreams. Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project (KSUDP) is the nodal agency for the projects sanctioned by the two agencies.

The Rs. 3.5 crore-bridge widening project at Elamkulam will be completed within 18 months. The project is expected to ease the traffic along the road by widening the road and bridge in the area, according to authorities.

Other than the bridge widening project, projects for widening some of the important roads connecting major roads and those between MG road and Chittoor roads have also been planned. These projects will be implemented without acquiring any land. The improvement of the inter-connecting roads will be taken up by the KSUDP. The following are the roads that would be benefited from the scheme:

Karshaka Road (first 150 metres from South Road overbridge), Palarivattom-Vyttila road, Chittoor road, road between MG road and Chittoor road from Padma junction, road between MG road and Chittoor road from Ground Junction, road between MG road and Chittoor road from KSRTC junction, road between MG road and Chittoor road from Jose junction, Thoppumpady-Paravana-Fort Kochi road, Paravana-Mattanchery, TD road, Church landing road, Durbar Hall road and Mullassery canal road. Full story

Parallel roads are the key

Shyama Rajagopal

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Several entry points to the city suggested

Urban master plan yet to be completed

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KOCHI: Town planning experts suggest that several entry points into a city area are a must for a bustling commercial place that is growing. However, Kochi city has grown over the last decade with only a few entry points into the main commercial area.

The North and South overbridges were the only two entry points though Thevara became another one because of the Kundanoor bridges. But, the traffic mostly travel across the first two bridges.

Development of a few parallel roads to the North-South corridor and the East-West corridors will decongest the arterial roads of the city considerably, said a town planner. Thammanam-Pulleppady Road is one such that was started with a big fanfare. However, this very important infrastructure remains unfinished as the rail overbridge is not completed. Full story

India on the Maritime Map
India is booming and its population is gradually catching on to the marine lifestyle. At a rate of growth of 9.4% per annum, India’s economy has now swelled to a trillion dollars, making it only the 12th nation to reach this milestone.

Statistics show that the luxury goods market in India is growing at 30-32% pa.
Today’s affluent Indian consumer is going overboard in his urge to splurge.

Stats & Facts:

* In 2007, there were an estimated 120,000 Indians with assets over US$ 1 million.

* 13,000 new Indian US$ millionaires were added in the past year alone - a 15% p.a. increase over the previous year.

* With a population in excess of 12 million, Mumbai is said to have more millionaires per square mile than Manhattan.

For marine businesses, India is looking more like a potential boating hub every year. Mumbai is known as the ‘Gateway to India’ and its commercial and business epicentre. Mumbai has a natural harbour with miles of sheltered coastline with great places to sail to. The city houses the diamond, finance, IT and film industries – Bollywood is the world’s largest film producing centre.

India, Mumbai particularly, has a strong boating heritage with the third oldest yacht club in the world, the Royal Bombay Yacht Club, set up in 1846.

Yet, the first marina development is only just underway – the Bolgatty Island marina in Cochin, Kerala. Awarded through a global bidding process undertaken by KITCO the project was won by Gulf Marinas, a leading marina manufacturer based in Sharjah whose Indian partners are Ocean Blue Marinas.

Kochi (known in Colonial times as Cochin) is situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the scenic and prosperous state of Kerala.

Its strategic importance over the centuries gave shelter to Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese sailors, all of whom have left indelible marks on the region’s development.

Kochi has emerged as the commercial and industrial force and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India (after Mumbai/Bombay). It boasts a world class port and international airport that link it to many major cities worldwide.

The entire 900km length of the Kerala coast is lined with sandy beaches, rocky promontories and coconut palms that definitely merit a visit in every tourist itinerary. Touring the beach sites of Kovalam can make any beach holiday a delightful one, as Kerala’s beaches are renowned for the gentle surf and blue waters.
Kochi has a buzzing shipyard, so in addition to bringing tourists to the region, the marina will provide job opportunities to hundreds of workmen in repairing boats and communication equipment. Only last weekend Koci was the stop-over point for the high profile round the world powerboat race Earthrace, now heading for Europe, aiming to break a decade old round the world record.

With the city already playing host to the Volvo Ocean Race in 2008, major investment in a deep draft marine is required the government is sure the country’s first marina will attract significant global maritime attention.

On 1 March, the chief minister laid the foundation stone for Bolgatty Island. The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) Chairman, Cheriyan Philip, announced the marina, situated between Marine Drive and Bolgatty Island, will have facilities for 50 yachts, a Marina House with all modern facilities, a Marina Museum and recreation and convention centres.

A golf course would eventually be developed adjoining it.

The total cost is Rs 8 crore (Rupees 80 million or AUD$2 million). Around Rs 4 million is from central assistance and the remaining is from the state government and loans.

The first phase will be completed this year and the second phase within two years.

‘So far, for many years, India has missed the boat, so to speak,’ Howard Moon, an Australian yacht owner, was quoted as saying.

‘Many yachts go to Sri Lanka because there is a small marina there. The Maldives has marinas. Malaysia, Thailand and every other country that I know has marinas. So, it is high time that India had a Marina.’

At present the cruising yachts need to berth their vessels in the backwaters and reach the shore in inflatable boats.

Seafarers from all over the world have visited the area and relied on the Bolgatty Palace Hotel for food, swimming and other needs.

It is estimated that cruising yachties generally spend an average of two weeks in Kochi, sight seeing, relaxing and carrying out necessary maintenance and the marina will make repairs and maintenance much easier.

The Marina will occupy five acres of land owned by the KTDC near the Bolgatty Palace Hotel. Supporting facilities like petrol stations, a restaurant, health club and car parking are likely to be built on land reclaimed from the backwaters.

Sailors – local and international – are said to be ecstatic over the project.

www.incredibleindia.org

by Jeni Bone
Marine Business News.com

By Sudha S Namboothiry
The Cochin Shipyard Ltd., the largest Greenfield shipyard in the country made history when five platform supply vessels were floated on June 2, 2008 at Cochin simultaneously. The ships launched were the seventh in a series of eight ships under construction for Deep Sea Supply, Norway, two out of 4 ships for M/s Hellespont Steamship corporation, Greece and M/s Tidewater Marine International Inc, USA. Cochin shipyard is one of the leading shipbuilding & repair yard in India, which has an infrastructure that combines economy, scale, and flexibility, and has ISO 9001 accreditation.

The yard is also constructing 20 similar ships for European/American clients valued at over Rs. 2000 crore. These projects are being undertaken exclusive of the Air Defence Ship for the Indian Navy which is also presently under construction. Cochin Shipyard’s proposal for creation of Small Ship Division has been approved by the Government. The project is expected to be completed by March 2009. On completion these facilities would help the shipyard to undertake concurrent construction of small commercial ships with the Aircraft carrier.

The attitude is well expressed in the message of the Shipyard Chairman & Managing Director Commodore Shri M.Jitendran, “Ours is an endeavor to emerge as an internationally competitive yard and facilitate the emergence of India as a dominant ship building and ship repair centre of the region. Cochin Shipyard promises quality service, outstanding workmanship, timely delivery, reliable personnel and excellent coordination that does not leave you feeling at sea …” True to the message, the Shipyard is moving ahead in leaps and bounds to achieve its goal.

It has been a saga of records for the Shipyard since the past five years. Like a phoenix the Shipyard has arisen from its not-so-good times to a profit making company. The total turnover of the company has increased threefolds ie, from Rs.235 crore in 2002-03 to Rs.720 crore in the year 2006-07. Record ship building turnover of Rs.478 crore was achieved in the year 2006-07.

This achievement was again surpassed in 2007-08 with the shipbuilding income reaching Rs 600 crore(provisional). The performance of ship repair department has also been commendable and the Ship repair turnover crossed Rs. 240 crore mark in the year 2007-08. The net profit of the company registered a three fold increase in 2006-07 ie., from Rs. 18 crore in 2005-06 to Rs. 58 crore in 2006-07. The financial performance in the year 2007-08 is expected to surpass all previous records.

Cochin Shipyard was incorporated in the year 1972 as a fully owned Government company. In the last three decades the company has emerged as a forerunner in the Indian Shipbuilding & Shiprepair Industry. This yard can build and repair the largest vessels in India. It can build ships upto 1,10,000 DWT and repair ships upto 1,25,000 DWT.

The yard has many a feather on its hat like it has delivered two of India’s largest double hull Aframax tankers each of 95,000 DWT , has built various types of vessels including Tankers, Bulk Carriers, Port Crafts, Passenger Vessels etc. CSL has secured shipbuilding orders from internationally renowned companies from Europe & Middle East.

Shipyard commenced ship repair operations in the year 1982 and has undertaken repairs of all types of ships including upgradation of ships of oil exploration industry as well as periodical lay up repairs and life extension of ships of Navy, UTL, Coast Guard, Fisheries and Port Trust besides merchant ships of SCI & ONGC.

The yard has, over the years, developed adequate capabilities to handle complex and sophisticated repair jobs. It is ISO 9001-2000 certified for Design and manufacture of small & medium crafts upto 900 GRT , construction of ships upto 1,10,000 DWT, Repair of ships upto 1,25,000 DWT, Training of marine engineers & conducting of fire fighting courses. The Shipyard also trains graduate engineers to marine engineers who later join ships both Indian and foreign as 5th Engineers.

Sudha S Namboothiry is a Media & Communications Officer of PIB, Cochin
Commodity Online

Kochi, Jun 16 (PTI) The ‘Queen of Arabian Sea’ and home to one of the most ancient natural ports in the world, Kochi is gearing up to host the India stopover of the prestigious Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09, the world’s premier offshore yachting event.
The nine-month Volvo Ocean Race is the most spectacular round of the World Marathon Ocean Yacht Racing competition and is seen as the ultimate in extreme adventure sporting, N Ramachandran, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust, said.

This is the first time in its 35-year history that the race would be stopping over in India, he said. On its third leg, the race would stop here in December this year.

The race will commence its round-the-world marathon sailing in October and cover over 39,000 nautical miles, visiting 11 ports across the globe.

Starting from Alicante in Spain, it would stopover at Cape Town, Cochin, Singapore, Qingdao (China), Rio de Janeiro, Boston, Galway (Ireland), Gotebord and Stockholm, before reaching the finishing line at St Petersburg in July 2009.

Cochin Port was chosen for the stopover after extensive evaluations by the race officials and negotiations that went on for over an year, Ramachandran said.

The teams have to deal with face dangers like storms, icebergs, ocean debris and whales as they race day and night for more than 20 days at a stretch in some of the legs, he said. PTI
Press Trust of India

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Photo Courtesy US Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Shown here in Cochin, India

Credit: Lance Wordsworth/Earthrace

Earthrace, a 100 per cent bio-diesel powered boat on its quest to break the world record for the circum navigation of the earth, today called at the Cochin Port for repair and refuelling purposes

Bio-Fuels ForumPress Trust Of India

Kochi, June 14, 2008

First Published: 22:19 IST(14/6/2008)

Last Updated: 22:27 IST(14/6/2008

Earthrace, the Ecoboat, which is attempting to break the round-the-world speed record, arrived in Kochi for a re-fuelling.

The Earthrace, is a ‘78 feet wave piercing trimaran’, a sailing boat like a catamaran but with three hulls, which runs exclusively on bio diesel and has net zero carbon footprints, thus making it one of the world’s most environmentally friendly powerboats.

Pete Bethune, the captain, told reporters that the boat had covered about 19,300 nautical miles after it started off on its journey from Spain in April. The vessel arrived in Kochi from Singapore.

There are four crew members. While Paul alighted here, a new member David Howard joined the boat from Kochi. After nearly an hour, it left.

Bethune underwent liposuction to donate his own fat to be processed into biofuel. “The aim is to show to the world that the best technology can also be sustainable’, he said.

Bethune auctioned off his home to fund the 1.5 million pound project.

Earthrace is attempting to break the world record set by Cable and Wireless in 1998.

Hindstan Times

Earthrace eco-boat aims for fastest refuelling

Friday, 13 June 2008, 10:26 am

Press Release: Earthrace

Earthrace eco-boat aims for fastest refuelling of world record attempt in India

London/Cochin (Kochi), 12 June 2008:

Earthrace, the world’s fastest eco-boat, is expected to arrive at Cochin Port on Saturday 14 June, for the tenth port stop of its world record attempt.

The boat, which is currently 1,700 miles ahead of the current world record holder, is currently battling Monsoon weather and 3m waves off the coast of Sri Lanka, and has reduced her speed to 16kn as a precaution against stressing the boat’s superstructure following major repairs in Singapore.

The crew are hoping for the fastest port stop in the race, aiming for a rapid 90 minute turnaround with the help of local supporters.

Earthrace is a 24m tri-hull wavepiercer that runs on biofuel and is on day 46 of its attempt to break the world record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe. The boat is currently 1,700 miles ahead of the world record pace, set by the British Cable and Wireless team in 1998.

The boat had sustained damage after hitting sea debris on departure from Palau and had to have its drive shaft and propeller replaced in Singapore. Although the crew remained ahead of the world record time, they lost about 1,500 miles from their lead. The speedy turnaround in Cochin will help the crew to claw back valuable time which was lost during these essential repair works.

The crew has relied on the generosity of a number of local companies that have stepped forward to help Earthrace have the fastest port stop in the race – a record within a record! The Cochin Port Trust, GAC Shipping Agents, Incredible India Tourism and Michaels Land Resort have all played a vital role in boosting Earthrace’s chances of smashing the world record.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the local support here in India,” said Skipper Pete Bethune. “If we manage to refuel the boat, stock up on provisions and get on our way again within the 90 minute target we’ll claw back some vital lost time.

“

We’re proud to be stopping in Cochin, as they have a strong connection to one of the greatest figures in nautical history. Vasco da Gama was the first person to ever circumnavigate the globe, and he died and was buried here in Cochin. We’re following in his footsteps over five centuries later, but with a couple of engines and a lot more horsepower!”

When Earthrace leaves Cochin it will head to Salalah, Oman, with British Guest Crew, David Howard, joining the team. Keep up-to-date with Earthrace’s progress via the live satellite tracker at www.earthrace.net

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