Kochi is ahead of other Kerala cities in terms of infrastructure development. It is home to the state's first port, the first man-made island and has one of the largest airport connectivity networks in the country.
Published Sep 15, 2025 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 15, 2025 | 8:00 AM
Mayor M Anilkumar of the Kochi Municipal Corporation.
Synopsis: Silent, slow, and steady, Kochi is leading Kerala’s initiative in urban governance. At the helm is Mayor M Anilkumar of the Kochi Municipal Corporation, who has a clear vision about the future and its requirements. In an interview, Anilkumar shares his thoughts and vision for Kerala, a state where the rural and urban divide is fast disappearing.
Kochi in Kerala’s Ernakulam district has grown beyond Marine Drive, and is now the link between the state’s fast-developing southern and northern rurban landscapes.
The city is at the forefront as Kerala is set to script another historic first by framing a comprehensive urban policy in India. The two-day Kerala Urban Conclave that began in Kochi on Friday, 12 September, has global experts, policymakers, and city leaders deliberating on a sustainable, inclusive, and citizen-driven approach to urban governance.
Kochi Municipal Corporation Mayor M Anilkumar carries the pride and weight of the responsibility of holding the conclave. For Anilkumar, also a Kerala Urban Policy Commission (KUPC) member, the conclave is not just another policy event, but a defining moment for Kochi and Kerala.
In a conversation with South First, Anilkumar shares his thoughts on the vision behind the conclave, the opportunities it creates for Kochi and Kerala, and the broader roadmap for urban transformation in India.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: Though Thiruvananthapuram offers more scope for urban expansion, why was Kochi selected to host the urban conclave?
A: Most conclaves in Kerala are usually held in the capital city (Thiruvananthapuram). However, Kochi’s choice as the host city has a specific answer: Kochi is the only city in Kerala with a truly cosmopolitan character. It has long-standing connections to global civilisations. The Jewish, Portuguese, Dutch, British, and Chinese all came and left their cultural imprints on Kochi, mainly because of its location along the Arabian Sea.
Kochi is far ahead of other cities in Kerala in terms of infrastructure development. It is home to the state’s first port, the first man-made island — Willingdon Island — and has one of the largest airport connectivity networks in the country.
As a member of the Urban Commission, I was able to take part in several discussions on India’s first-ever tailored urban policy. And as the Mayor, I was the one who first put forward the concept and need for such a conclave.
Also, the effort to digitalise Kerala is being implemented with funds from the Kochi Smart Mission. It was the GCDA (Greater Cochin Development Authority) that first initiated steps toward an urban policy. Kochi has consistently been a pioneer: India’s first District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) project, the Marine Drive, was launched here. I had pointed this out to Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
Major infrastructure landmarks such as Shodaran Ayyappan Road, Kaloor–Kadavanthra Road, and Stadium Road were developed without a single rupee from the government, thanks to the vision and initiative of former Kochi Mayor and GCDA Chairman K Balachandran.
Kochi also boasts of India’s first Water Metro, a model now being studied and adopted by several other states. Today, the city showcases one of the most efficient urban mobility systems in the country, winning multiple national and international awards in recognition.
With such achievements, Kochi stands justified to host India’s first Urban Policy Conclave.
Q: We cannot move or push any urban policy without addressing the climate crisis affecting our cities. Kochi, in particular, is among the worst affected, facing recurring floods, sea erosion, and rising pollution. As a member of the Commission, have you raised these concerns during the discussions?
A: I served in the KUPC as the representative of ordinary citizens, while most other members were subject experts like Dr James and Dr Krishnamoorthy. They brought in solid research and data on issues such as urbanisation trends, risk indicators, the pressures on the Western Ghats, and the need to manage growth in ways that strengthen climate resilience.
My role was to share the lived realities of people who directly face the impacts of climate change.
The commission’s deliberations focused heavily on environmental concerns, which is why we underlined measures such as promoting public transport to cut down harmful emissions. What makes the KUPC unique is its effort to weave local narratives with scientific evidence.
Stories from fisherfolk, young activists, and street vendors are integrated into municipal dashboards and hazard-mapping tools. This shared knowledge base helps governments respond more effectively.
Instead of treating climate resilience as a side issue, the commission placed it at the heart of every sector. It also advanced new ideas like fiscal independence for cities, supported through mechanisms such as green levies and municipal bonds.
Q: What were the commission’s key recommendations?
A: Kerala’s urban policy emphasises climate-resilient planning through hazard-based zoning for floods, landslides, and coastal risks. A real-time data observatory at KILA (Kerala Institute of Local Administration) is proposed to strengthen urban intelligence.
Financing tools such as green fees, parametric climate insurance, and municipal or pooled bonds aim to empower local governments. Governance reforms call for elected city cabinets and specialist municipal cadres, while economic revival focuses on regional strengths like FinTech and smart industrial zones.
The policy also highlights restoring wetlands, waterways, heritage spaces, and creating city health councils to support vulnerable communities.
Q: The conclave has participation from many international experts and representatives. Do you think Kochi stands to gain significantly from this exposure, perhaps even as a model city for urban development?
A: We cannot claim to be the best, nor are we a perfect role model. Yet, we have accomplished some remarkable initiatives efficiently. Kochi’s programmes—such as Samrudhi (serving affordable meals at ₹20), She Lodge (safe and budget-friendly accommodation for women), and the open space development model have received recognition across the country. At the same time, there is always room for learning and adopting new practices.
When it comes to shaping effective urban policy, it is not enough to rely solely on one city as a blueprint.
Thiruvananthapuram, for instance, also has several successful projects, and many Indian cities showcase valuable models.
Our approach is not about selling the ”Kochi model” for others to replicate. It is about adopting the best practices from multiple cities. Only by learning from a variety of examples can we craft policies that are effective and sustainable.
Kerala’s urban model offers broader lessons; it emphasises inclusive commissions, citizen-driven data, strengthens local body finances, and modernises governance structures.
Q: Kerala’s urban population is expected to exceed 80 percent by 2050, and cities like Kochi are already chaotic. How is the state’s urban policy planning to address the challenges of rapid urbanisation?
A: Unlike some other states, our approach is not aimed at attracting more people to cities. An increasing urban population is not the goal. We do not plan to concentrate opportunities in cities, which could lead to congestion and chaos.
Even rural areas in Kerala offer good mobility and opportunities.
Therefore, our policy emphasises improving facilities on the city outskirts as well. One key recommendation was to reduce reliance on private vehicles. For example, Singapore imposes an entry fee for cars entering the city. We could explore similar measures to encourage the use of public transport. Plans for extending both the metro rail and water metro systems have also been discussed.
KUPC conducted 33 comprehensive studies covering land use, water systems, finance, and social dynamics. Additionally, it organised 53 district-level dialogues involving mayors, NGOs, workers, and residents. The 2,359-page final report integrates census data, satellite imagery, and community narratives, all aimed at ensuring cities develop in an orderly and sustainable manner, avoiding chaos.
Q: As a mayor, how does it feel to lead such initiatives, knowing that implementing this policy requires significant effort from every urban chief across Kerala?
A: I have 25 years of experience in urban development. Until working on this commission, I believed that we had one of the strongest and most efficient local administrations. However, the reality is that there are still many areas where we need to adapt and improve. The commission’s report also highlights the need for several legislative changes.
One point that the Local Self Government Department Minister, MB Rajesh, and I were particular about ensuring that political differences do not influence the policy. Urban policy must remain above political indifference. I am pleased that many ministers, experts, representatives from other states, and delegations from Latin America — where we share many common challenges — participated in this process.
This collaboration gives us a strong chance of implementing the benefits of the urban policy within the next five years.
In areas such as canal rejuvenation and waste management, Kochi is already ahead of most other cities. As both a commission member and representative of the host city, I am confident that we can develop a model urban system that sets a benchmark for the country.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
