Deputy Mayor Deepak Joy presents the 2026–27 Budget of the Kochi Corporation at the Corporation Council Hall in Kochi on February 24.
| Photo Credit: R.K. Nithin
The Kochi Corporation Budget has announced plans to issue a Green Bond aimed at financing Kochi’s comprehensive green-blue-grey infrastructure development.
The initiative seeks to integrate technology, eco-friendly practices, and water resource management to create climate-resilient and biodiversity-friendly urban growth.
As a city of backwaters and canals, Kochi is considered ideally suited for such a development model. The projects to be included under the Green Bond will focus on nature-based solutions, including modernisation of canals, creation of new blue-green spaces, rejuvenation of existing ones, development of interconnected green corridors across public spaces, and eco-friendly freight and transport facilities.
Mayor V.K. Minimol presents a bouquet to Deputy Mayor Deepak Joy after he presented the 2026–27 Budget of the Kochi Corporation on February 24.
| Photo Credit:
R.K. Nithin
The Green Bond will be structured in line with guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India, and the Union government’s 2026–27 Budget proposals.
City Bloom
The project aimed at expanding green spaces across the city has been allocated ₹1 crore. Conceived as a comprehensive initiative, the programme aims to mitigate the urban heat island phenomenon and strengthen resilience against climate change.
Under the scheme, trees and shrubs will be planted extensively along road medians, roadsides, public spaces, flyovers, compound walls, and premises owned by the Corporation and public institutions. To enhance the city’s aesthetics, priority will be given to flowering trees such as gulmohar, mandaram, rosy trumpet, and manimaruthu, which bloom at least once a year in vibrant colours.
The project also envisages training Kudumbashree units and women’s collectives interested in developing professional skills in garden maintenance.
Parallel bridge
As a lasting solution to traffic congestion in the city and ease the travel difficulties of residents of Vypeen and Mulavukad, the Budget has proposed the construction of a second bridge parallel to the existing Goshree Bridge. The new bridge will connect Corporation Junction with Bolgatty.
With the completion of the Munambam-Azhikode bridge, vehicular flow from the Vypeen region is expected to increase further, making the parallel bridge essential, according to the Budget assessment.
The project is to be implemented with the cooperation of the State government and the Greater Cochin Development Authority. A sub-committee led by the Mayor will be constituted to initiate the work, according to the Budget.
Published – February 24, 2026 08:00 pm IST
