Cochin Overseas: After Singapore Cochin is next destination for biofuel operated eco-boat Earthrace

COCHIN OVERSEAS FUND SOCIETY

Cochin is a major destination for IT and ITES companies, ranked by NASSCOM as the second-most attractive city in India for IT-based services.Availability of cheap bandwidth through undersea cables and lower operational costs compared to other major cities in India, has been to its advantage. Various technology and industrial campuses including the government promoted Cochin Special Economic Zone operate in the outskirts of the city. Several new industrial campuses for research, trade and development in biotechnology, electronic hardware and information technology are in various stages of construction in the suburbs of the city. SmartCity,which on completion, would rank among the largest such ventures in the country. The Cochin International Airport a novel venture in the history of civil aviation in India where Government of Kerala, NRIs, Travelling Public, Financial Institutions, Airport Service Providers and others joined hands in the equity structure.Our goal is to get NRI's more involved in Cochin its growth and infrastructure development.The CIAL(Cochin International Airport Limited) is a success story that is being copied by other cities in India and being studied by Sociology and Economic professors in Harvard University in the United States.There is a URGENT!!! need to create some more Public Limited Companies with private capital and participation to take care of the infrastructure problems that the city of Cochin is facing.CIAL like pubic limited companies must be created to raise private capital for infrastructure in and around the city of Cochin.These companies should be started as wholly owned subsidiaries of CIAL or as a joint venture between Cochin Corporation and CIAL.
A online community for all Cochin enthusiasts to raise funds for its growth and infrastructure development.The CIAL is a result of initiative taken by Overseas Indians who contributed donations and interest free loans for a Cochin International Airport Society. Our goal is to raise money for the creation of CIAL Companies to address other critical infrastructure needs and shortages the City of Cochin is facing.

A map of COCHIN Metro and its proposed stops going from Alwaye to Pettah in Tripunthara

There will be a station after each kilometer.Aluva, Pulinchode, Companypady, Ambattukavu, Muttom, Apollo Tyres, St.Mary's Church, Kalamassery, Pathady palam, Edappally Toll Junction, Edappally, Palarivattom, International stadium, Kaloor, Lissie Junction, Madhava Pharmacy, Maharaja's Ground, Ernakulam South junction, GCDA Junction, Fathima Church, Elumkulam, Vyttilla, Thykoodam, Poonithura and Pettah. The proposed speed for Cochin metro train is 36 Km per hour, which is almost equal to the city buses which have a limit of 35 km per hour.The Cochin metro will be expanded in the future adding places like Kakkanad,Fort Cochin,Vypeen,Cherai Beach,North Parur,Angamaly including the COCHIN AIRPORT AREA OR AEROTROPOLIS.

COCHIN OVERSEAS FUND SOCIETY

This is a blog devoted to Cochin, Kerala, India. Cochin also known as Kochi is one of the fastest growing cities not only in India but in Asia. The city is in danger of having severe shortage in meeting its Infrastructure needs. There is a need for getting contributions from NRI'S for funding and financing infrastructure projects in and around Cochin using the PPP equity structure which was successly implmented in the creation and the execution of CIAL(The Cochin International Airport Limited)

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

After Singapore Cochin is next destination for biofuel operated eco-boat Earthrace

Earthrace powers on
Having successfully completed massive repairs, the world’s fastest eco-boat Earthrace has departed from Singapore to Cochin, India to complete its attempt to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat.

Earthrace, a 24m tri-hull wavepiercer that operates on biofuel, is still more than 1,550 miles ahead of the world record pace, set by the British Cable and Wireless team in 1998, despite the delays for repairs.

A number of companies, such as POSH SEMCO, Assetton and its project sponsor J B Global, stepped forward to provide Earthrace with support for expedient repairs for damages sustained in Palau, which were carried out in three days.

Skipper Pete Bethune said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity we’ve received in Singapore. After the accident in Palau we began to doubt whether we still had a shot at the world record, but now the boat is back in top shape and weather conditions for the leg to Cochin are great.”

Mr Bethune said the attempt was to show the world the potential for sustainable fuels and if the voyage proceeds as planned, Earthrace would be able to finish the trip 17 days ahead of the world record.

The boat’s up-to-date progress can be viewed via the live satellite tracker at www.earthrace.net.

Transport and Logistics News

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National Highway 47 from Cochin headed north

NH 47, is a busy highway that runs through some parts of Tamil Nadu and the south-west coast of Kerala state in India. The highway touches the cities of Salem, Avianshi, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Trichur, Cochin, Kollam all the way to the southern tip of India around Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum It is easily accessible to most residents of Western Kerala, and runs within a few kilometers of Cochin International Airport, located in Nedumbassery, and another international airport, Trivandrum International Airport in the city of Thiruvananthapuram and Coimbatore airport The road is the part of National Highway network of India, and it is officially listed as running over 650 km (390 miles) from Salem to Kanyakumari (both in Tamil Nadu).NH 47 is subject to high volumes of traffic, often bumper-to-bumper. The highway has many stores and restaurants bordering it including some of the best dosai stands in all of India. Traffic is especially gridlocked as the road runs through the city of Coimbatore..

A view of the Periyar River while landing at Cochin International Airport

AEROTROPOLIS COCHIN

Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) is planning to develop an Aerotropolis (Airport City) consisting of Star Hotels, Golf Course, Convention Centre, Logistics Centre, Amusement Park, cultural village, etc.. The Aerotropolis, which will also focus on medical tourism centres.CIAL and CUSAT(Cochin University of Science and Technology) are starting an aircraft maintenance facility or maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and also setting up an aviation training institute that will train engineers, pilots and other professionals required for airports and airlines.The airport-based special economic zone (SEZ) with an estimated cost of Rs5,000 crore will come on 450 acres of land.An airport-based SEZ is a duty-free region developed near an airport that will require minimum clearances to start industries.The proposed maintenance, repair and overhaul centre for aircraft, IT/ITeS park and other knowledge processing based projects will be coming under this airport-based SEZ .A team of officials and people’s representatives undertook a survey of the four-km route from Aluva to the Kochi international airport to explore the possibility of extending the proposed Aluva-Pettah elevated metro rail project.Rs.300 crore will have to be added to the Rs.3000-odd crore metro rail project.The proposed extension line would pass through Thuruth, Avanam Kodu, Chowara, and Neduvannur and take a diversion to the airport with the final extension near the domestic cargo terminal.The extension, designed to be constructed parallel to the existing rail line, is expected to bring economic advantages to both the CIAL and the metro railway, including high passenger as well as cargo movements from the airport to the city and vice versa. Further, the increased and speedy accessibility to the airport with such an extension will add to the viability of the proposed ‘aerotropolis’ around the CIAL.

Cochin on the world map

India's Singapore and Hong Kong an emerging tiger in the Far East A place where you can find a Catholic church,Jewish Synangogue ,Islamic Mosque and Chineese fishing nets.Cochin - An investor friendly destination Cochin (Kochi), the commercial and industrial hub of Kerala, India, is soon burgeoning into a mini metropolis with high-rise residential and commercial buildings, rapidly escalating number of vehicles vying for space, increasing influx of professionals to the city, changing consumer behaviour and lifestyles, and more.Kerala has the highest per capita income in the country and an even higher per capita expense. 50% of India’s total NRI remittance comes from 2,50,000 Keralites working overseas. 83% of the population of Kerala begins their day with the newspapers. The literacy and global awareness here are rated the highest in the country. While the sex ratio is tilted in favour of women, the urban and rural markets exhibit identical consumer behaviour. The actual physical quality of life is ranked among the highest in the country. Hospitality, living standards, health care systems etc of Kerala are considered on par international standards. Kerala certainly wears the golden aura of great opportunity.

An artists conception of the Cochin Metro Rail project

Kochi Metro Rail project. The project will be executed on BOT basis. The two-way metro rail will be 25-km long and will run from Alwaye and go through Kalamassery, Edappally and Palarivattom to Kaloor, and from MG Road via Madhava Pharmacy Junction, Kadavanthra and Pettah to Tripunithura.. It will have 22 stations and would be built on a raised platform on pillars in 25 acres of land including 10 acres of private land. This 3000 crore project will get 40 per cent funds from the state and the Centre will take off in April and be completed within the stipulated three years and be implemented by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. Actual work is expected to take three years after the government acquires the land. It will also be underground like the Delhi Metro in the future.The train coaches will be lightweight with a stainless steel body, fully air conditioned, vestibuled with pneumatic suspension.

MG(MAHATMA GHANDI ) ROAD ERNAKULAM COCHIN

AIRPORT SEAPORT HIGHWAY COCHIN

The first phase of the highway has been completed.Connects the New Cochin International Airport with Cochin Seaport by a new road of 30 kms.The four-lane, 30-km highway from Cochin seaport to the Cochin International airport will be developed at an estimated investment of around Rs 200 crore, to help improve the transport infrastructure in the State. It passes through Cochin Special Economic Zone, Industrial Areas of Cochin and Kalamassery Connecting HMT, FACT, Kochi Refineries Ltd. and Various Oil Terminals at Irumpanam.The Rs 28-crore first phase included a 13-km highway between HMT Kalamassery and Kochi Refineries Ltd, and a railway overbridge at Irumpanam.The work was jointly financed by RBDCK, the Union Commerce Ministry, the Ministry of Transport's Central Road Fund Scheme, and the Railways.Once complete, the highway, which will pass through the SEZ and connect such major industrial units as HMT, FACT, and KRL as also the various oil terminals at Irumpanam, will boost the flow of cargo traffic both from the port and the airport.The project road also connects the industrial belt of HMT, Kinfra IT parks, and the Cochin Division of FACT before joining the NH 49 by-pass east of Kundanoor Junction. From Kundanoor Junction of NH 47 A, it leads up to Kochi port. The 13-km, two-lane road constructed in the first phase will act as a by-pass to the NH 47 within the Kochi city limits. The by-pass will be important for movement of hazardous cargo. Petroleum tankers from Irumpanam oil terminals, a cause of concern to the district authorities, can now move north up to Kalamassery without entering the city. To ensure a smooth and durable road, natural rubber modified bitumen (NRMB) is to be used. The Central Road Research Institute and Rubber Board had selected this road for the performance evaluation study of NRMB. This will be the longest stretch of fully rubberised road in Kerala. Laid using the state-of-the-art technology and equipment such as hydrostatic sensor pavers, the highway promises to be the smoothest in the State.The project road, on completion of all stretches, is expected to ease the pressure on NH 47 especially where it takes more than an hour for a heavy vehicle from the airport to reach the Kochi port.Once this highway becomes operational, this distance could be covered in less than 30 minutes even at 60 kmph.

A map of India and Cochin"s location on its west coast

Eulogised as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin, Kerala's commercial capital is an anachronism. The dashing metropolitan city prides itself on a historical heritage stretching back to ancient times and embracing within its far reaching hold, cultures as diverse as Hindu, Chinese, Arab, Jewish, Syrian Christian, Portuguese, Dutch and English. One of the finest harbours in the world, nature has generously endowed Cochin with clear lagoons, emerald plantations and sprawling beaches whose splendour is perfectly complimented by forts, palaces, temples, museums, old churches, and today, modern sky rises.

Edappally Bye-Pass Junction going from Ernakulam to Alwaye via Kalamasery via NH 47 to CIAL

Two National highways NH 47 and NH 17 join the Bye Pass Jn at Edappally.The Byepass connects Edappaly with Aroor which is an industrial town of Cochin south of Aroor is the emerging satellite township of Cherthala and Alleppey the Venice of the East. Bye-Pass Junction in Edappally is the north end of the Cochin Byepass which extends up to Aroor via Vytilla Jn. This entire route is evolving into a major business hub with bigtime shopping malls and five star hotels. Car dealerships Mercedes, Hyundai, Maruti, etc. are situated on the road. The world famous museum of Kerala History and Sculpture is also located in Edappally. Thrikkakkara temple also is only 2 kilometers away from Edappally Toll junction.There is a feasibility study being undertaken for constructing a flyover at Edapally junction where the NH 17 will converge with NH 47 and to widen NH 17 in Edapally into a four-lane road.

VARAPUZHA BRIDGE ON NH 17 COCHIN

(1995 - 2000) Ist Bridge in Kerala to be constructed by balanced cantilever technique (120m. span).1rst bridge in Kerala where Caisson floating techniqe adopted Total length 1030m The NH 17 originates at Edapally in COCHIN. The VARAPUZHA BRIDGE connects Cheraneloor a village of Eddapally to Varapuzha a village of North Parur at National Highway 17 which mainly traverses through the west coast of India, sometimes touching shores of Arabian sea like at MARAVANTHE BEACH in Karnataka. The National Highway 17 connects cities and towns of different states as follows Mumbai, Mahad, Ratnagiri, Panaji, Madgaon, Karwar, Kumta, Bhatkal, Udupi, Surathkal, Mangalore, Kasargod, Kannur, Kozhikkode and Kochi it ends at Panvel in MUMBAI(BOMBAY at the junction of another National Highway 4. NH 17 connects the interior parts of coastal regions with rest of the country connects major sea ports of Mumbai, JNPT, Mormugoa,New Mangalore ( NMPT ) and Cochin.

A picture of Ernakulam District Kerala and CIAL and its surroundings

Cochin International Airport a public company, initially held by a large number of Non-resident Indians (Indian citizens who live outside India), major Indian corporations as well as a 13% holding by the government of Kerala. This is the first international airport in India to be built with only a minority (13%) Central Government stake in a public-private partnership (PPP) project. The total government stake, state and central, is thus 26%. The CIAL is builit in Kerala's traditional architectural style modeled on Guruvayoor's temple.

Vytilla Junction in Cochin

Cochin has a good public transport system, but there is so much road traffic, and the arterial roadways need to be relieved of congestion.Vyttila is the largest junction in Kerala both in terms of area and vehicle traffic.The National Highway 47 bypass passes through Vyttila, and this busy highway is intercepted by the thinly packed Sahodaran Ayyappan Road, also called the S.A. Road. Apart from this there are two more roads starting from the junction, making it the busiest and biggest in Kerala.A new international standard bus station is being planned at Vyttila, which is supposed to put an end to the never ending traffic hazzles in the city caused by entry of Long Distance buses.Vytilla Junction is surrounded by Ernakulam to its west,Tripunithra, Muvattupuzha, Vaikom, Kottayam to its east,Edappally, Aluva, Thrissur to its North and Aroor, Cherthala, Alappuzha to its south.

A aerial view of Marine Drive Ernakulam,Cochin which ends at the Kerala High Court

Marine Drive is a picturesque promenade in Kochi, Kerala, India. It is built facing the backwaters.It is as an important centre of shopping activity in Cochin..Hundreds of people (both natives, and tourists) throng the walkway during the evenings.The walkway starts from the High Court Junction and continues until the Rajendra Maidan. There are also several boat jetties along the walkway.The walkway has two contemporarily constructed bridges, the Rainbow bridge and the Chinese Fishing Net Bridge.

A picture of the Administrative office of the Cochin Port Trust(far left) in Wellington Island

The NEW Marthanda Varma bridge in ALWAYE(ALUVA)COCHIN,KERALA,INDIA

The Marthanda Varma bridge was completed in a record time of one year.The parallel bridge has been contructed at Aluva near the old Marthanda Varma bridge and opened to traffic on 22nd June 2002.The bridge is named after MARTHANDA VARMA the Maharaja(KING) of Travancore who built a Summer Palace in ALWAYE on the banks of the Peryiyar River which is also known as the Ganga of the South.ALWAYE is a health sanitorium/resort sleepy secular satelite township of COCHIN .This bridge is strategically located on National Highway 47 and on the way to to COCHIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT from COCHIN City. This bridge was built as a result of the increased road traffic on the old bridge when the CIAL was inagurated for International and Domestic Flights in May 1999.

National Highway 47 Byepass near ALWAYE,COCHIN

ALWAYE(ALUVA) serves as a important junction. It serves as a transit point to the following four towns in Ernakulam district - Angamaly to the North , Kalamassery to the south , North Paravur to the west and Perumbavoor to the east. North of Angamali on NH 47 is Trichur which goes to Palllakad , Coimbatore,Salem and Bangalore. East of Perumbavoor is Munnar a prominent Hill Station.West of Paravur is Exotic CHERAI Beach in Vypeen Island.Aluva is famous for its smooth flowing Periyar River which is the second largest river in Kerala. Periyar river is also known as Aluva puzha (river of aluva).Aluva is one of the holiest pilgrim centres of Kerala. It is the only temple where lord Siva and devi Sri Parvathy co exist in a single Srikovil. Lakhs of devotees are coming during the Nadathurappu mahothsavam in the month of Dhanu.Aluva is as much a quaint and interesting town as it is a strategic one. Communal amity and economic well being are the characteristic hallmarks of this wonderful place.

Cochin on the International Sea Route

Cochin has a strategic location on the international seafaring route lying midway between Europe, Middle East and East Asia and the Pacific Rim. The all weather natural harbour and the large export of goods, especially spices and sea food makes it a very important port in India. The port is located on Willingdon Island. As part of its expansion programme, the Port Trust is building an international container transhipment terminal at Vallarpadam to tap into the large cargo movement along the international east-west sea lane.

The Cochin International Airport Limited the product of donations and loans from NRI"s.

Cochin International Airport is a novel venture in the history of civil aviation in India where Government of Kerala, NRIs, Travelling Public, Financial Institutions, Airport Service Providers and others joined hands in the equity structure. This is the first International Airport in the country outside the ambit of the Government of India. This airport has been constructed to enable any type of wide bodied aircraft to land with state of the art facilities. The Airport site is very close and centrally located to all three National Highways passing through Kerala. (NH 47, NH 17, NH 49). The main Railway line from Kanyakumari to Delhi is adjacent to the airport and it is situated between Alwaye and Angamaly Railway Stations. The Cochin Sea Port, one of the biggest in the country is also situated close by. The Cochin Airport would certainly boost International trade, tourism and enhance the country's image.

The Switzerland of Cochin (Munnar)

Munnar - breathtakingly beautiful - a haven of peace and tranquility - the idyllic tourist destination in God's own country.Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests - aroma of spice scented cool air - yes! Munnar has all these and more. It's the place you would love to visit - it's the place you would wish never to leave- so welcome - log on to munnar.com for all information on Munnar anytime, every time.

Cochin Overseas

COCHIN OVERSEAS FUND SOCIETY

WELCOME TO THE COCHIN OVERSEAS

COCHIN OVERSEAS FUND SOCIETY

A map of COCHIN Metro and its proposed stops going from Alwaye to Pettah in Tripunthara

COCHIN OVERSEAS FUND SOCIETY

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

After Singapore Cochin is next destination for biofuel operated eco-boat Earthrace

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National Highway 47 from Cochin headed north

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A view of the Periyar River while landing at Cochin International Airport

AEROTROPOLIS COCHIN

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Cochin on the world map

Chineese fishings nets a symbol of Cochin

An artists conception of the Cochin Metro Rail project

MG(MAHATMA GHANDI ) ROAD ERNAKULAM COCHIN

AIRPORT SEAPORT HIGHWAY COCHIN

A map of India and Cochin"s location on its west coast

The High Court of Kerala

The Cochin Seaport

Edappally Bye-Pass Junction going from Ernakulam to Alwaye via Kalamasery via NH 47 to CIAL

VARAPUZHA BRIDGE ON NH 17 COCHIN

National Highway 47 Byepass Junction ALWAYE,COCHIN

A picture of Ernakulam District Kerala and CIAL and its surroundings

A map of the Goshrees Islands connected by bridges.

Vytilla Junction in Cochin

A picture of the Goshree Bridges

A picture of the International Container Terminal at Vallarpadham

A aerial view of Marine Drive Ernakulam,Cochin which ends at the Kerala High Court

A picture of the Administrative office of the Cochin Port Trust(far left) in Wellington Island

Cochin is well connected by road and rail.

The NEW Marthanda Varma bridge in ALWAYE(ALUVA)COCHIN,KERALA,INDIA

Vehicular trafiic on ALWAYE(ALUVA)COCHIN from National Highway 47

National Highway 47 Byepass near ALWAYE,COCHIN

A map of Ernakulam District Kerala and Infopark and CIAL

Cochin on the International Sea Route

The Cochin International Airport Limited the product of donations and loans from NRI"s.

Yasoram Skycity - Cochin a Flyover, designed with the prime intention of reducing traffic in Kochi

Another picture of Yasoram Skycity

CIAL and its neighboring areas

The Switzerland of Cochin (Munnar)