Date:28/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/08/28/stories/2008082851082100.htm

Back Kochi to get facelift for Volvo Race

Our Bureau

Kochi, Aug. 27 Kochi will be spruced up by November to host the first India stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race, scheduled to be held at the Cochin Port during December 3-13. This was decided in a meeting convened by Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the Minister for Home, Vigilance and Tourism on Tuesday.

As the stopover event is going to attract thousands of domestic and international tourists and international media, it is very important that the city should wear a new look, particularly with good roads, proper traffic and parking system, improved garbage disposal to ensure cleanliness on the roads and public places, standardised signage, clean and pollution free water bodies, improved water transport facility and customer friendly auto/taxi system.

All concerned departments have been directed to take necessary steps in this direction. It has also been decided to convene a meeting at the level of Mayor on September 3 with all concerned departments and officials to finalise the action plan. The Tourism Minister will convene a meeting of public representatives and officials on September 20 at Kochi and review the progress of various arrangements.

The meeting was attended by Dr V. Venu, Secretary, Tourism; Prof Mercy Williams, Mayor of Kochi; Mr Cyril C. George, Secretary, Cochin Port Trust; Mr Manoj Abraham, Commissioner of Police; Mr Manoj Joshi, MD, KSIDC; Mr K.G. Mohanlal, MD, KTDC; Ms K.N. Raji, Deputy Collector, Ernakulam; Mr I.G. Chandrababu, Secretary, DTPC, Ernakulam; Mr Dinesh Kumar, Manager Operations, CIAL and other senior officers from the State Government.