Kerala Maritime Board requests govt to hold stakeholder meet on Valiyathura redevelopment
Thiruvananthapuram: As part of expediting the redevelopment of Valiyathura region in the state capital, Kerala Maritime Board (KMB) requested govt to convene a stakeholders' meeting.
The meeting, likely to be held under the chairmanship of ports minister V N Vasavan, aims to secure the trust of fishermen, ensuring the project proceeds without affecting their livelihoods. It would address a spectrum of concerns, ranging from fish landing infrastructure and market access to preserving the iconic Valiyathura pier and sustaining community fishing access.
The proposed redevelopment spans nearly 4.5 acre of underutilised, KMB-owned land adjacent to the deteriorating pier.
Once govt approves the project, KMB will call for expressions of interest (EOI) from qualified consultants and investors for a detailed proposal of the redevelopment project. Based on the proposal, KMB will prepare a report and submit it to the govt for final approval.
KMB has prepared detailed preparatory work and land surveys were carried out in anticipation of the redevelopment. However, officials emphasise the importance of winning support from the fishing community before tender invitations and EOI calls can be issued.
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A senior board official highlighted that fisherfolk has a strong presence in the area and clear strategies, including alternate pathways, must be planned to avoid future conflict.
According to KMB chairman N S Pillai, the preparatory work has been done. "It is not just for tourists; we need their (fisherfolk) confidence. The minister is positive about this and will hold a meeting involving fishermen, the church and local representatives.
Only then will we proceed with the tender for the maritime hub," Pillai said.
Meanwhile, KMB is set to invite EOIs to attract private consultants and investors who would co-develop the site under a public-private partnership (PPP). As per the announcements in Jan this year, the revised proposal includes a maritime hub concept, encompassing a fish landing centre, convention facilities, hospitality zones and museums or maritime-themed attractions.
"Following EOI selection, KMB will compile a detailed report, which will then be submitted to the govt for final sanction. Subsequently, a long-term management agreement, likely up to 30 years, will be made with a private partner and a project monitoring committee will oversee coastal regulation zone compliance," Pillai added.
Rehabilitation of the historic pier, estimated at Rs 20 crore, is central to the redevelopment.
However, earlier such efforts under the Sagarmala scheme were shelved over a lack of funding from Centre. Nevertheless, under the PPP model, restoration of the sea bridge is expected to be bundled with other site upgrades, financed and executed by the private developer.
Once slated as a busy cargo port with a 214-m-long pier built in 1956, Valiyathura lost relevance when Kochi port rose to prominence. The pier, described as a heritage structure and a landmark in the area, partly collapsed due to coastal erosion and has been closed for the past four years.
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