India\'s first Marina commissioned

KOCHI: Giving a new impetus to Marine leisure activity, Indias first World class Marina, built at a cost of Rs 8.21 crore, was Saturday commissioned by Union Defence Minister A K Antony here.

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 have touched Kochi, he said.

The Kochi International Marina has been designed and developed by Ocean Blue Marinas.