Even as work on the Water Metro jetty at Fort Kochi beach is progressing after the demolition of three heritage buildings, INTACH functionaries and urban designers are up against what they say, even That ‘modified’ design is also focused on a massive structure that pays little with respect to heritage norms.
That’s about 20,000 square feet. Billy Menon, National Vice President, Institute of Urban Designers and Co-Convener, INTACH, Kochi, said, “The structure in the middle of the row of iconic Chinese fishing nets, considered the ‘Taj Mahal of Kochi’, is tasteless in itself. Chapter.
“The size, aesthetics and location of the jetty will hinder the operation and existence of the nets, whose photographs adorn the cover of any tourism brochure or even a power-point presentation on Kochi. The nets that were first set over 500 years ago and gave Kochi a brand recognition as one of the top 10 international must-see places in the world, must be protected at any cost. The sprawling structure, spread over the beach, with its shallow sloping roof, pitched roof, and elements such as openings, pillars, arches and gables are incompatible with the rich Portuguese and Dutch colonial heritage of Fort Kochi,” he said.
Above all, it blocks the view of the mouth of the sea, a historical feature of Fort Kochi, where people have been watching ships pass in and out of the port for centuries. Also, the proposal of a restaurant at the first floor level at the mouth of the sea is in violation of CRZ norms.
On the security front, the proposed jetty falls within the sea bay and the port’s ship channel. At this point the hydrodynamics is quite difficult to keep the ships on the pier. All these aspects could have been avoided had a more compact jetty complex been built at Kamalakadavu, 200 meters away, where the dilapidated and poorly maintained corporation and tourism share the pier, Mr Menon said.
Jose Dominic, owner of the popular heritage hotels, said the project mocks the heritage conservation and Kerala Arts and Heritage Commission. Especially because Fort Kochi is a notified heritage area where permission for alteration and demolition of buildings is required, he said.
Kochi Metro Rail Ltd officials did not comment on the merits of the issue, citing the ongoing litigation regarding the demolition of three heritage buildings to make way for the jetty.
He was quick to add that a few crores had already been spent on the piling and related matters for the structure. “We did our best to maintain the aesthetic elements of the heritage buildings, which are abundant in the locale,” he said.