Keralam Government has reinstated the General Council of GIDA

The government has reconstituted the Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA) General Council, chaired by Chief Minister VD Satheesan.

Members of the council include Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden; MLAs Tony Chammany, TJ Vinod and Mohammed Shiyas; Mayor VK Minimol; Acquiline Lopez, president of Mulavukad grama panchayat; MS Antony, president of Kadamakudy grama panchayat; Benny Bernad, president of Elankunnapuzha grama panchayat; Asha Paulose, president of Njarakkal grama panchayat; Joby Varghese, president of Nayarambalam grama panchayat; Vivek Haridas, member of Ernakulam District Panchayat; MJ Tomy; CJ George; AP Antony; TK Shaheer; KI Abdul Rasheed; Ernakulam District Collector; Secretary Kochi Corporation; district town planner; and Executive Engineer (Roads and Bridges) of the Public Works Department, according to the report.

The construction of the outer causeway for Thanthonnithuruthu Island, located in the backwaters of Kochi between Ernakulam and Mulavukad, is the major work currently being undertaken by GIDA. The proposal involves the construction of an external embankment filled with dredged soil and reinforced with concrete piles and slabs.

GIDA planned to complete the project in two phases. The first phase involves the construction of a 600-meter retaining wall with 310 meters on the east side and 290 meters on the west side. It proposed the construction of an outer seawall as an effective solution to limit coastal erosion and frequent flooding.

The project, proposed by the authority in 2021, received clearance from the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA) on 28 February 2025. It was revised after KCZMA raised concerns over potential flooding and destruction of mangroves. The width of the enclosure wall was reduced from five meters to three meters. GIDA also assured KCZMA that the project will not affect mangrove vegetation on private lands on the island.

GIDA was originally established in May 1994 to construct the Goshree Bridges connecting Mulavukad, Vallarpadam and Vypeen islands to the Ernakulam mainland. Its mandate was expanded to include the overall development of a cluster of islands near the city, comprising eight panchayats and part of the Kochi Corporation. The GIDA areas now include Thanthonnithuruthu, Elamkunnapuzha, Edavanakkadu, Njarakkal, Nayarambalam, Kuzhuppilly, Pallippuram, Kadamakudy and Mulavukad.

Published – 31 Aug 2026 21:45 IST