There are calls to appoint a special officer to help keep Marine Drive in good shape. People who represent the public, along with groups that help the environment, have asked for this. They are worried because public areas are not being looked after well, and people are setting up stalls on the paths that were recently fixed.

Marine Drive, which is owned by the Greater Cochin Development Authority and looks out onto the backwaters, was updated with a project that cost ₹7.30 crore. However, it's said that not enough is being done to maintain it.

An environmental activist named Ranjit Thampy mentioned that a special officer should have been appointed already, as ordered by the Kerala High Court. He also pointed out that a meeting was supposed to happen between officials from the GCDA, Kochi Corporation, Kerala State Pollution Control Board, and the District Police Chief to create a committee that would watch over Marine Drive. While a committee was formed, the special officer has not been named.

Concerns have also been raised about the quality of materials used to build a toilet area, with tiles falling off. Some toilets are in bad shape and locked. Additionally, two buildings on the Kettuvallom Bridge are thought to be places where people who cause trouble and use drugs gather, and they should be taken down. It's also suggested that all security cameras on the walkway should be turned on to stop these activities and prevent trash from being thrown into the mangroves and backwaters.

People who regularly walk there have also pointed out that uneven and broken tiles are a safety risk. They want the walkway to be cleaned more often, a plan for managing trash, security staff at police posts, and trees to be trimmed so they don't fall over in strong winds.

A local leader, T.J. Vinod, has asked the government and the Kochi Corporation to reconsider allowing vendors to set up on the paths that were recently improved. He believes this would make the area look bad and hurt businesses that pay rent and taxes. He also asked for more toilets and trash cans along Marine Drive and for the walkway to be kept in the best possible condition. Many people who use the walkway and travel to the Goshree islands have complained for years about vendors selling fruits and other items taking up a lot of space on the paths.

Some people at the GCDA hope that the new District Collector will help appoint a special officer to bring Marine Drive back to how it used to be. They mentioned that while some people want to charge an entry fee, this might stop people from visiting. Efforts by the GCDA to clean up the area and plant trees are being hindered by people who damage the plants and sprinklers. Security has been increased with ex-service personnel on the walkway. It's also difficult to reopen a space under the Kettuvallom Bridge that was meant to be a place to eat.

Original article

Actionable Information: The article provides no actionable information for a normal person to do anything right now or soon. It discusses calls for action and ongoing issues, but does not offer steps for individuals to take.

Educational Depth: The article offers some educational depth by explaining the context of the problems at Marine Drive, including the cost of the renovation and the specific issues like vendor encroachment, poor maintenance, and safety concerns. It also mentions the involvement of various authorities and the legal basis for appointing a special officer. However, it does not delve deeply into the "why" or "how" of these systemic issues, nor does it provide detailed explanations of the processes involved in appointing officers or forming committees.

Personal Relevance: The topic has limited personal relevance for most readers unless they are residents of Kochi or frequent visitors to Marine Drive. For those who are, it highlights issues related to public space maintenance, safety, and the impact of commercial activities on public amenities, which could affect their experience and potentially their local environment.

Public Service Function: The article serves a public service function by highlighting concerns about the upkeep and management of a public space, Marine Drive. It brings attention to issues that affect public safety and the environment, and the calls for action from various groups and individuals. However, it does not provide official warnings, emergency contacts, or direct tools for the public to use.

Practicality of Advice: The article mentions suggestions and requests made by individuals and groups, such as appointing a special officer, increasing cleaning frequency, and managing trash. However, these are presented as ongoing demands and proposals, not practical advice that a normal person can implement themselves.

Long-Term Impact: The article touches upon potential long-term impacts by discussing the need for proper maintenance and management of a public asset. If the calls for action are successful, it could lead to a better-maintained and safer public space. However, the article itself does not offer actions that individuals can take to contribute to this long-term improvement.

Emotional or Psychological Impact: The article might evoke a sense of concern or frustration in readers who are aware of the issues at Marine Drive, as it details the deterioration of a public space. It also highlights the efforts of activists and local leaders, which could inspire a sense of civic engagement. However, it does not offer direct emotional support or coping mechanisms.

Clickbait or Ad-Driven Words: The article does not appear to use clickbait or ad-driven words. It presents the information in a factual and reportorial manner, focusing on the issues and calls for action.

Missed Chances to Teach or Guide: The article missed a chance to provide more practical guidance. For instance, it could have included information on how citizens can report maintenance issues or voice their concerns to the relevant authorities. It could also have provided links to official websites of the GCDA or Kochi Corporation for more information on public space management or environmental initiatives. A missed opportunity also exists to explain the process by which a special officer is appointed or how a committee is formed and functions, which would add educational value.

The current state of Marine Drive reveals a breakdown in the fundamental duties of stewardship and communal responsibility. The neglect of public spaces, evidenced by broken tiles and poorly maintained facilities, directly impacts the safety and well-being of all community members, particularly the vulnerable. Children and elders are exposed to risks from uneven pathways and damaged structures, diminishing the family's ability to provide a secure environment.

The presence of individuals engaging in disruptive behavior and drug use in designated areas on the Kettuvallom Bridge indicates a failure to uphold the duty to protect community spaces and safeguard the innocent. This creates an environment of fear and distrust, eroding the neighborly bonds essential for a cohesive community. The inability to secure and maintain these spaces shifts the burden of protection away from communal responsibility and onto the shoulders of a few, weakening the collective will to defend shared resources.

The issue of vendors occupying recently repaired paths, while seemingly a matter of commerce, directly undermines the efforts of those who have invested in the upkeep of the land. This behavior demonstrates a disregard for shared responsibility and the principle of preserving resources for the benefit of all. It creates conflict and resentment, hindering the peaceful resolution of disputes and weakening the trust that binds neighbors.

The call for a special officer, while stemming from a desire for order, signifies a reliance on external authority rather than the cultivation of internal, familial, and clan-based accountability. This can lead to a diffusion of personal responsibility, where individuals feel less obligated to contribute to the upkeep and protection of their shared environment. The breakdown in maintaining even basic facilities like toilets, with tiles falling off and doors locked, points to a deeper issue of accountability and the neglect of duties towards kin and community.

The damage to newly planted trees and sprinklers by individuals who benefit from the beautification efforts highlights a profound contradiction: taking advantage of communal improvements without contributing to their preservation. This behavior erodes trust and demonstrates a lack of commitment to the long-term survival of the land, which is the foundation of future generations' well-being.

If these behaviors and attitudes spread unchecked, the consequences for families and the continuity of the people will be severe. Trust within families and between neighbors will erode further, replaced by apathy and a sense of helplessness. The natural duties of fathers and mothers to protect their children and care for elders will be undermined as communal spaces become unsafe and unmanaged. The land, our shared inheritance, will continue to degrade, diminishing the resources available for procreation and the care of future generations. The very fabric of community, woven from mutual responsibility and shared duty, will unravel, leaving individuals and families vulnerable and the continuity of the people at risk.

The text uses strong words to describe the problems at Marine Drive. For example, it says "people who cause trouble and use drugs gather." This language makes these people seem bad and justifies taking down the buildings they use. It focuses on negative behavior without offering other explanations.

The text presents the need for a special officer as a clear solution. It states, "a special officer should have been appointed already, as ordered by the Kerala High Court." This phrasing implies that not appointing one is a failure to follow a direct order, pushing the idea that this is the only way to fix things.

There is a bias towards blaming vendors for the poor condition of Marine Drive. The text says, "vendors selling fruits and other items taking up a lot of space on the paths." It also quotes a leader saying this "would make the area look bad and hurt businesses." This focuses on the negative impact of vendors without exploring other reasons for the problems.

The text uses passive voice to describe issues with the toilets. It says, "Some toilets are in bad shape and locked." This avoids saying who is responsible for the toilets being in this condition. It doesn't point fingers directly, making it unclear who should fix them.

The text suggests a specific action to solve problems with security. It states, "all security cameras on the walkway should be turned on to stop these activities." This presents turning on cameras as a guaranteed fix for "trouble" and "drug use." It implies this action will definitely stop these issues.

The text expresses a strong sense of concern and disappointment regarding the current state of Marine Drive. This emotion is evident from the beginning, with phrases like "worried because public areas are not being looked after well" and "not enough is being done to maintain it." This concern is significant because it highlights a problem that affects many people and the environment. It aims to make the reader feel a similar sense of unease, prompting them to understand the seriousness of the situation. The writer uses this emotion to encourage action by showing that the beautiful Marine Drive is being neglected, which is a sad outcome after a large amount of money was spent on its renovation.

Another prominent emotion is frustration, particularly in relation to the lack of action and the ongoing issues. This is shown by the mention of the Kerala High Court's order for a special officer and the fact that this officer has not yet been appointed. The description of "tiles falling off" and toilets being in "bad shape and locked" also contributes to this feeling of frustration. This emotion serves to emphasize the inefficiency and the repeated failures to address the problems. It guides the reader to feel annoyed by the lack of progress, making them more receptive to the proposed solutions.

There is also a clear sense of urgency and a call for accountability. Phrases like "should have been appointed already" and the suggestion that buildings where "people who cause trouble and use drugs gather" should be taken down convey this. The mention of safety risks from "uneven and broken tiles" adds to this feeling of immediate need for improvement. This urgency is used to persuade the reader that these problems cannot wait and require immediate attention from the authorities. It aims to create a sense of shared responsibility and a desire to see things fixed quickly.

Furthermore, the text conveys a feeling of nostalgia or a longing for the past, expressed by the hope that a special officer will "bring Marine Drive back to how it used to be." This suggests that Marine Drive was once a better place, and the current state is a decline from that past. This emotion is used to evoke a positive memory and contrast it with the current negative reality, making the need for improvement more compelling. It helps the reader connect with a vision of what Marine Drive could be again, fostering a desire for its restoration.

The writer employs several techniques to amplify these emotions and persuade the reader. The use of descriptive words like "bad shape," "broken tiles," and "falling off" creates a vivid picture of neglect, making the disappointment and frustration more palpable. The repetition of the problem of vendors on the paths, mentioned by both regular walkers and a local leader, emphasizes the persistent nature of the issue and strengthens the feeling of frustration. By highlighting the cost of the renovation (₹7.30 crore) and then detailing the current poor condition, the writer creates a stark contrast, making the neglect seem even more wasteful and disappointing. This contrast is a powerful tool to sway opinion, as it shows a significant investment yielding poor results. The overall message is crafted to make the reader feel concerned about the state of Marine Drive and motivated to support the calls for better management and the appointment of a special officer.