KSHB convention centre to come up at ecologically fragile land in Kochi

Kochi: The Rs.3105 crore mega exhibition centre proposed by the Kerala State Housing Board at the ecologically fragile 17.9 acres of land adjacent to Mangalavanam bird sanctuary in Kochi has created widespread apprehensions over its serious environmental impacts. According to the proposal announced by Revenue minister E Chandrasekharan in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, the project, to be executed on PPP basis, will have convention centre, hotels, office space for corporate houses, banks and financial institutions.

The project will have serious ecological impacts as Mangalavanam and its buffer zone is the only green lung remaining in the city, point out green experts.

According to green expert Prof M .K Prasad, any kind of construction activities in the area will sound the death knell for Mangalavanam. "There is a considerable decrease in the number of birds coming to Mangalavanam. Increasing number of high-rise buildings, dumping of waste in the area and noise pollution has adversely affected the avian visitors. Now, the government is coming up with another big-ticket project which will further degenerate the bird sanctuary and the dense mangrove vegetation in the area," he said.

Meanwhile, Prof. K.V Thomas told DC that the government should take up the project only after assessing its environmental impacts. "The Housing Board proposed a similar project during the previous UDF government's tenure. But, considering the apprehensions and objection from green groups and other stakeholders, the government decided to drop it," he said.The then UDF led Corporation council also turned down the project proposal. The government purampoke land was handed over to the Housing Board during the UDF government's tenure.

Meanwhile, there are doubts over the financial feasibility of the project. While the KSHB's Revenue Tower at Park Avenue is in deep financial crisis with no takers for four floors, the new convention centre cum office complex will be another white elephant, it has been pointed out.

Despite the low rent, most of the office space and shops in the multi storeyed Revenue tower remains vacant.

"The Housing Board submitted application to the Corporation for tax remission. Tax remission is given to buildings which are closed and unoccupied, with no business," said top official with the Corporation.