Kochi: Mini-aqua parks will be established at five district headquarters in Kerala — Kozhikode, Thrissur, Kochi, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram — according to Kerala Tourism Minister K V Thomas.

Inaugurating the hyperbolic-paraboloid Chinese net bridge (Cheenavalappalam) here, Thomas said there are also proposals by the fisheries department works section for the development of Vijaya Park in Alappuzha district. A committee has been constituted for the establishment of aqua parks. “The tourism department is planning to conduct cultural evenings throughout the state on every Saturday and Sunday, except on rainy days.”

The second phase of the development of Fort Kochi will start from mid-January 2003. A meeting in this regard will be held at Fort Kochi on 18 and 19 January. The chief secretary and people’s representatives will participate in the meet.

The Cheenavalappalam across the Mullassery canal will link the marine walkway being constructed from the Children’s Park to the High Court. The bridge, constructed using RCC piles and stainless steel ropes, has white metal-halide lights and red and green terracotta tiles.