Kozhikode to be developed as port city, Light Metro to be realised soon: CM Satheesan

Kozhikode (Keralam), Sep 1 (PTI) Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Tuesday said Kozhikode would be developed as a port city under the state government's Mission Samudra project and the proposed Light Metro would be implemented without delay once its ongoing studies are completed.

Inaugurating the 'Future Calicut 360', a development conclave, Satheesan said steps had already been initiated to develop all ports in the northern district.

Several employment-generating projects, including logistics facilities, a container facilitation centre and transshipment facilities, would be established alongside the ports, he said, adding that port development would be made part of the city's overall development.

A cruise terminal will also be developed in Kozhikode if suitable land is available, the chief minister said.

The studies for the Kozhikode Light Metro, announced in the first state budget of the government, were progressing and the project would be implemented without delay after completion of those studies, he said.

Kozhikode airport will have a prominent role in the proposed aviation hubs centred around Keralam's four international airports; A new system will be introduced to facilitate travel from Kozhikode city to the airport, besides undertaking development projects linked to the airport, Satheesan said.

The cultural park being planned here in the name of renowned writer M T Vasudevan Nair will be developed as a tourism destination of international standards, he said.

The park will have theatres, art exhibition galleries, venues for traditional art forms and five-star hotels, among other facilities, and will serve as a centre showcasing the city's heritage.

Land for the cultural park has been identified, and steps will be initiated to commence the work within three months, Satheesan said.

A Cyberpark that will compete with the Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram and Infopark in Ernakulam will be established in Kozhikode, he said.

The city will also be considered for the proposed Knowledge Valley project, which envisages bringing in campuses of leading universities from across the world, if suitable land is made available, the chief minister said.

Development of bridges, including the Mankavu bridge, would be accorded priority, while the technical assistance of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kozhikode, will be utilised for development projects, he said.

The government will stand with the people of Kozhikode in fulfilling their dreams for the city's development, Satheesan added. PTI