Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA), Kochi City Region, Kerala

The Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA) is entrusted with the development of nine Goshree islands in Kochi. Recognising the need for an integrated development of the islands sprawled on the northern side of Kochi’s backwaters, the state government formed this Authority in 1994.

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Goshree Islands Development Authority jurisdiction

The 100-sq km area under the GIDA authority covers the Vypin Island, the Vallarpadam, Bolgatty-Mulavukad Island, the Thanthonni Thuruthu, Kadamakkudy and a group of small islands in the Vembanad Lake. The estimated population living in this area is 3.5 lakhs.

Roles and responsibilities of GIDA

With Kochi being the commercial capital of Kerala, the GIDA is expected to work along with the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). However, the agency has been widely criticised for its failure to perform that task. Even though it was established with the purpose of providing integrated development of the islands in the Kochi backwaters, the agency has largely been defunct in the past and has failed to take up any new projects in recent times.

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In fact, bad conditions of the roads and bridges, are among the biggest complaints of the Goshree islanders.

Among the projects that have been at the receiving end of the inactivity shown by the GIDA include the Chennur-Kothad Bridge, the Moolampilly-Chathanad Road, the Valiya Kadamakkudy-Chathanad Bridge, the Moolampilly-Pizhala Bridge and the drinking water project proposed for Varapuzha and Kadamakudy islands. Some of the projects were conceived way back in 2006.

In 2018, the Kerala High Court snubbed the GIDA for its inability to acquire land for the approach road at the Moolampilly-Pizhala Bridge. “The above projection makes us wonder as to how GIDA and the government could have visualised the construction of Moolampilly-Pizhala Bridge, without making provisions for acquiring land and connecting the bridge at both ends. Such half-hearted efforts would frustrate the work done so far and is not going to meet the aspirations of the people, who are expecting the bridge to be made available without any further loss of time,” the HC said.

GIDA contact information

Park Avenue

Old Collectorate Campus

Cochin- 682 011

Phone: 0484- 2203378

FAQs

Is the GIDA now defunct?

Even though the Authority is not defunct, it has not taken up any new projects for several years now.

Are the GIDA and the GCDA the same?

The two are separate entities with varying responsibilities. While the former is responsible for the development of Kochi backwaters, the latter is responsible for the development of the Kochi urban area.

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Sunita Mishra

An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal, Sunita Mishra brings over 16 years of expertise to the fields of legal matters, financial insights, and property market trends. Recognised for her ability to elucidate complex topics, her articles serve as a go-to resource for home buyers navigating intricate subjects. Through her extensive career, she has been associated with esteemed organisations like the Financial Express, Hindustan Times, Network18, All India Radio, and Business Standard.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Sunita holds an MA degree in Sanskrit, with a specialisation in Indian Philosophy, from Delhi University. Outside of her work schedule, she likes to unwind by practising Yoga, and pursues her passion for travel.
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