Kozhikode to be developed as port city under Mission Samudra
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced on Tuesday that Kozhikode will be developed as a port city under the Mission Samudra project, with a cruise terminal planned if suitable land is available. The announcement was made while inaugurating the 'Future Calicut 360' development conclave organised by Kozhikode South MLA Faisal Babu, as reported by The Times of India.
Satheesan said steps have already been initiated to develop all ports in Kozhikode. "Several projects with significant employment potential, including logistics facilities, a container facilitation centre and transshipment facilities, will be established in connection with the ports. The development of the ports will be integrated with the development of the city," he said, according to The Times of India.
The chief minister also spoke at the Dr M V Kesava Rao Memorial Foundation Day lecture held as part of the 66th Foundation Day celebrations of the National Institute of Technology Calicut (NIT Calicut), where he outlined broader plans for the state. Malayala Manorama reported that the government aims to transform Kerala into a major 'port city' by integrating its 600-km coastline and ports.
Cruise terminals and coastal development
Satheesan said cruise terminals will be established in Kochi and Kozhikode to boost tourism and coastal connectivity, as reported by Malayala Manorama. The Times of India reported that a cruise terminal is planned in Kozhikode if suitable land is available.
The government plans to shift 50% of freight movement to coastal waterways to reduce traffic congestion on roads, Satheesan said. Water tourism will also be expanded by connecting the state's 44 rivers and backwaters, according to Malayala Manorama.
The chief minister also said the government plans to develop Kerala as an 'aviation hub' through 27 projects centred around the state's airports, and establish a 'Kerala Knowledge Valley' to attract world-class legacy universities, as reported by Malayala Manorama. The Times of India reported that Kozhikode airport will have a significant role among the aviation hubs centred around the four international airports in the state.
Light metro and knowledge valley
The feasibility study for the Kozhikode Light Metro, announced in the state Budget, is progressing, Satheesan said. The project will be implemented without delay once the studies are completed, he said, as reported by The Times of India.
Kozhikode will also be considered for the proposed Knowledge Valley project, which is expected to host campuses of leading universities from around the world, if suitable land is made available, according to The Times of India.
Cultural park and cyber park
The cultural park being planned in Kozhikode in the name of renowned writer M T Vasudevan Nair will be developed as an international-standard tourism destination. The project will include theatres, art exhibition galleries, venues for showcasing traditional art forms and five-star hotels, and will serve as a centre showcasing Kozhikode's heritage, Satheesan said, as reported by The Times of India.
Land for the cultural park has already been identified and steps will be initiated to commence work within three months, the chief minister said. The Times of India reported that land for the cultural park has already been identified and work will commence within three months.
A cyber park that can compete with Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram and Infopark in Ernakulam will be established in Kozhikode, Satheesan said, according to both Malayala Manorama and The Times of India.
NIT Calicut foundation day
Satheesan also inaugurated the 66th Foundation Day celebration of NIT Calicut, as reported by The Times of India. Speaking at the event, he said NIT Calicut would play a key role in Kerala's development journey towards building a knowledge-driven and technologically self-reliant 'new-age Kerala'. The institute's technical expertise, research capabilities and advisory support would be utilised to restructure higher education in line with rapid changes in the global employment market, he said, according to Malayala Manorama.