The Indian government has cleared the State government’s proposal to set up a marina in the Bolghaty island in Kochi at a cost of Rs 24 crore. India has also sanctioned Rs 4 crore as its contribution to the project. These figures, though small are astounding since they are a testimony of the government's new inclination towards marina development.
MOTHER OF ALL MARINAS
Bound to raise the yacht industry to a new bar, at the same times promoting sales/ maintenance of yachts and sailboats - the project undertaken by KTDC and KITCO.
The project will invoke a huge boost in the tourism prospectives and unearth the potential of Kochi as one of the best yachting destinations on this side of the world.
WHY KOCHI?
Kochi has been suggested as an ideal place for offering this as it has been identified as one of the best natural ports in Asia. It also has a good transport and communication network.
Also, the magnificent beauty and greenery of Kochi would afford the marina to be a green and colorful one rather than concrete and plain kind mostly seen all over the world.
FACILITIES AND STRATEGIC POSITION
India's first world-class marina will host facilities for its rich yacht-owners such as refuelling and replenishing the stores. A central place for berthing the vessels and assembling of tourists on board is also planned.
Also, currently yachts and boats sailing-in from the Gulf region have no intermediate berthing place for them once they leave Dubai. The marina project envisages exploiting this opportunity.
There will be a marina house built in traditional Kerala architectural style with nearly two-dozen state-of-the-art rooms and recreation facilities.
The berthing facility is proposed to accommodate more than 50 vessels of varying specifications at a time. Setting up of facilities for fuelling through outlet points is also being considered.
The infrastructure facility comprises electric connections, both AC and DC. The project also envisages pumping out sewage through sludge pump. A major sewage treatment plant will be set up as part of the project. Drinking water will be made available by installing purification and filtering plants. Cooking gas will be stored in bulk and given through outlets with filling heads.
SURPRISE !
A GOLF COURSE ! - YES...a Golf Course will be made alongside this marina and that would mean that it is the WORLD'S FIRST MARINA with a golf course ! Doesn't that fact bring a feeling of pride in us Indians !? It definitely shows the maturity in the minds of the people and the government to execute such a plan - since one would only envisage such a project if they had a clear idea about the symbiosis of yachting and golf. Most yacht-owners would be gentlemen and corporates that would plan their next world tour aboard their yacht or crack a multi-million deal while teeing-off.
We look forward to keep you posted with this ground-breaking development that takes India into the exclusive marina club...
