GCDA Shopping Mall coming soon

The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), which stayed away from the much-hyped Emerging Kerala Global Connect, has begun proceedings for preparing bids for its projects.The authority will soon set up a committee to prepare tender for the Shopping Mall project at Manapattiparambu, to be implemented in PPP (Public Private Partnership) mode.

“On detailed inspection, we found that carrying out the project on a BOT (Build, Operate and Transfer) basis would not be in the best interests of the Authority. Soon, we will set up a committee comprising an advocate, a noted chartered accountant and other officials to prepare the tender. The committee for finalising the tender would consist of officials outside GCDA,” said GCDA chairman N Venugopal.

A decision regarding the setting up of the committee would be taken during the executive meeting on September 26.

The shopping mall would come up on 4.75 acres of land, which is in possession of GCDA, at  Manappattiparambu. The GCDA will get back its two acres of land here, which has been handed over for Kochi Metro Rail Project works, by March 2013.

The tender would have specific clauses to  complete the construction within the stipulated time. There will be clauses to avoid delay in construction and to carry out maintenance works, Venugopal said.

Exhibition Centre

Another major project mooted by the Greater Cochin Development Authority is an underground exhibition centre at Kaloor for which architects have been called for. It has been decided to set up a five-member panel to look into the applications received. It will go through the detailed profiles of the architects before finalising.

“The panel would ensure that the proceedings  are being carried out transparently. It will have people from outside GCDA including a public personality, and will also function as an advisory council,” Venugopal said.

Outcry

The Emerging Kerala investors’ meet had showcased a couple of GCDA projects as part of its various project proposals. However, the Authority came out in the open against the move making it clear that its projects will not be displayed at the investors’ meet.