Kochi is growing, and nobody can deny that. Is this growth enough or do we need a more powerful thrust so that we can plunge ourselves out of this state of somber mediocrity? Progress implies radical thinking towards a positive note, it does not merely lie in the number of shopping malls or high rise buildings or the number of cars managing to maneuver around the city.

Our government and authorities have failed to prove themselves to be of little or any consequence, and without the presence of a strong body, there’s a heavy limit imposed on how much we as individuals can contribute.The Travancore Cochin literary, scientific and charitable societies registration act of 1955 has sustained various organizations like the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, the Kerala Folklore Akademi, the Kerala State Information Technology Mission etc; all of them proving to be a pivotal presence in the growth and development of a society striving to be greater than itself. Another such organization currently stealing the limelight is the Kerala Urban Development Society (KUDS), aimed at assisting various governmental and non governmental organizations like the KSEB, GCDA, PWD, Corporation of Cochin etc so as to guarantee the best of investments they put in for their urban developmental strategies. They deal with projects that revolve around City planning and design, Transportation designing, Heritage conservation, Pollution / carbon emission control etc.

If they do manage to overcome the usual hurdles that they are bound to face, here’s what Kochiites will be looking forward to : the much awaited wider roads, continuous power supply, multilevel car parking facilities, functioning traffic signal systems, dwellings for the middle and lower income classes, various community centers, heritage tourism promotion, climate control campaigns and meets, fund raisers and public auctions along with various seminars and town hall meetings on city developmental issues. In other words a better Kochi, by an unimaginably massive margin.

The Kochi Art and Science Space (KASS) is an educational initiative taken up by KUDS that ensures the creation of a science space museum and an important art space in Kochi. If delivered, this kind of exposure and reach could be a vital center of growth, particularly for students and budding intellects on whom the country’s future undoubtedly relies upon. Causes such as the KASS are the ones that are worthy of immense public backing and support.

The Association of Young and Progressive Indian Citizens(AYPIC), the youth wing of KUDS, is directed towards motivating the country’s biggest resource, its young population, to join hands and actively participate in this process of change. For this the AYPIC aims to imbue in certain visions among the youth that include Young, Dynamic and Progressive leadership, social equality, poverty eradication, stronger economy and voluntary service.

Growth is forever, and to be truly successful we have to push the limits beyond the skies. Every dream, every thought, every idea has the potential to transform itself into reality if we unite and put our minds to it, and individually do nothing less than the least we can.

Since KUDS being a non profitable organization, we can do our part and support them through donations or offering to volunteer or even enrolling as a member.

For AYPIC, membership is open to all Indian citizens in the age group of 10 to 45 for a nominal fees of Rs.150/- and USD 10/- for NRI’s (Renewal fees Rs.75 and USD 5 for NRI’s).

Contact details:
Mr.Anup Joachim T – The Secretary
Mobile: 9544044440 or 9809909990
Email: anuptj@gmail.com

With the State government sanctioning Rs.121crore-worth works for phase one of the proposed bus terminal-cum-mobility hub on the north-eastern side of Vytilla Junction, the Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation (KITCO) is expected to submit the detailed drawings and design of the project to the government soon.

The project is slated to come up on 25 acres of land owned by the Agriculture Department beside the Kaniampuzha Road. The department would in all probability be given 18 acres of land owned by the GCDA at Mundamveli, West Kochi, to relocate its unit and the coconut farm.

The foundation stone for the project that is aimed at accommodating mofussil, long-distance and KSRTC buses would be laid as soon as the department hands over the land.

KITCO, the consultants for the construction of the bus terminal, is likely to execute the venture with the help of experts from allied fields. The organisation’s general manager Cyriac Davis said the finer details of the design would be based on the preliminary report prepared by the agency.

It would be submitted to the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for funds. Once work begins, the first phase of the project can be completed in around a year.

This includes the bus terminal complex, bus bays, and parking lots for private vehicles and autorickshaws, apart from amenities for passengers and bus crew. The city revenue generating activities, which would necessitate much more funds would be taken up in the second phase .

The State government has already approved the Vytilla project in principle, in December 2009. Prior to commissioning the project, the Edapally Vytilla NH bypass would have to widened to a six lane road, to cater to the manifold increase in the traffic flow that is expected.

As a part of the project, new roads have been planned . Well, obviously , theres a lot more to be done before the actual commissioning of the  project . Lets hope that everything goes well .. Fingers Crossed ..!  :)