Efforts Underway to Revive Marine Drive’s Heritage Appeal

Speedy Summary

• issue of Maintenance: The Marine Drive waterfront in Kochi suffers from poor maintenance despite redevelopment under a ₹7.30-crore project by cochin Smart mission limited (CSML).
• High Court Directive: Kerala High Court ordered the formation of a “Kochi Marine Drive Monitoring Committee” comprised of senior officials to oversee maintenance, but no nodal officer has been appointed as stipulated.
• Concerns Raised: Environmental activists and regular visitors cite several issues, including broken tiles, locked toilet complexes, encroaching vendors, and anti-social activities causing infrastructure damage. Demands include improved cleanliness, waste management plans, functioning CCTVs, and more toilets and garbage bins.
• Vendor Encroachments: Vendors have occupied redeveloped footpaths near Shanmukham Road-Goshree Bridge stretch. Ernakulam MLA T.J. Vinod opposes designating this area as a vending zone due to potential disruption to traders renting shops there.
• Entry Fee Debate: Proposals for imposing an entry fee on visitors have met opposition as they could deter public usage.
• Measures Taken: Security has been enhanced with ex-service personnel posted at Marine Drive areas.

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