Kochi: India's first Marina commissioned

Giving a new impetus to Marine leisure activity, India's first World class Marina, built at a cost of Rs 8.21 crore, was today commissioned by Union Defence Minister A K Antony on Saturday.

In his inaugural address, Antony said though the project was put in "cold storage" for some time, it has been completed within two years on a "war footing".

Tourism sector provides immense opportunities which should be tapped...The state needs to have better infrastructure, especially good roads and waste disposal facilities, which would go a long way in attracting tourists to the state, he said.

Kerala Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the Marina has opened new doors to Indian tourism and would attract high sea travellers.

During the last one year, 50 luxury ships touched Kochi, he said.

"The Kochi International Marina' has been designed and developed by Ocean Blue Marinas. Currently, it houses facilities for berthing 34 yachts. In the second phase, 50 yachts could be accommodated at a given time.

Marina house, a part of this project, features 24 rooms, including four suites, a health club, caféteria and recreation facilities, besides a golf course.

A broad walk protruding into the backwaters has been constructed in front of the Marina house to enable guests to walk around and take a look at the yachts.