GCDA begins works to turn Marine Drive a wedding destination

Kochi: The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) will soon set up facilities at the Marine Drive area for destination weddings.
The authority has already begun the procedures to design the project and is expected to roll out the project within three months.
As per the project, Marine Drive walkway and the adjacent areas will be developed as a spot to conduct destination weddings.It is learnt that the GCDA has already earmarked Rs 10 lakh for the preliminary works of the project.
The destination wedding project has already been successfully implemented under the govt sector at the Shanghumugham beach area in Thiruvananthapuram. The project was implemented there on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis.
As Kochi is a favourite destination for tourists, GCDA expects that the destination wedding project could be a big draw. The APJ Abdul Kalam Marg and Rajendra Maidan areas of Marine Drive are being considered for the project.
"We have already started the initial works. The open spaces in Marine Drive and nearby areas will be considered for the project. But the other details of the project, like the accommodation facilities and other facilities for the wedding groups will be decided later," said a senior official of GCDA.
Guests can choose the services at preferential rates. The aim of the project is to provide a panoramic view of the area in order to create a perfect ambience for an intimate wedding, said the official.