As Kochi Corporation awaits a new council in the Kerala local body polls, experts and residents flag core urban challenges

A view of Edappally Junction in Kochi

With a new council set to assume charge in the Kochi Corporation in Kerala on the cusp of a new year, people from various walks of life shared the challenges before it and the potential it could build on to develop the city.

Opinions on the core urban challenges in Kochi range from outright criticism to cautious optimism, and concerns about the lack of clarity on the direction Kochi city should adopt for future development.

Dr D Dhanuraj, Chairman of Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), in speaking to The Hindu, said the city must develop clarity on what it wants to focus on, instead of investing in multiple ideas and frequently shifting priorities. This lack of clarity confuses potential investors. The Corporation leadership should evolve a consensus for long-term development and build talent, infrastructure, support systems, and research facilities to support that vision.

“No city has developed without clarity about its core strength. Switching between ideas will not help, especially since Kochi lacks the land to accommodate all projects. Being historically a port city, Kochi should ideally focus on port-based development and related services,”

he is quoted as saying.

Read the full article by The Hindu here.

Views expressed by the author are personal and need not reflect or represent the views of the Centre for Public Policy Research.