'Take a Break' at Ernakulam boat jetty

Kochi: The city would soon get its first ever roadside refreshment centre under the brand name 'Take a Break' at the Ernakulam boat jetty. The 24/7 refreshment centre, an initiative by Kerala tourism department, will be inaugurated by the Kerala tourism minister in the first week of September.
The 'Take a Break' refreshment centre comprises a standard unisex restroom and a refreshment centre.There is space allotted for an ATM booth as well, which will be rented out to interested banks. The rental revenue will be used for the maintenance of the refreshment centre," said Vijayakumar S, secretary, District Tourism Promotion Council, Ernakulam.
The 'Take a Break' project planned in 2015 envisages construction of restrooms at every two hour driving distance on all highways and roads leading to popular tourist destinations. The first 'Take a Break' centre was opened at Shanghumugham.
"The centre at boat jetty realised at a cost of Rs 43 lakh is one among the five proposed in Ernakulam. The second centre is under construction near MC Road, Piravom. We are expecting approval for the rest of the centres soon as a tourist hub like Kochi needs more," Vijayakumar said. These tourist amenity centres will follow a uniform design.
The plan is to construct amenity centres ranging from 500 to 1,000 sq.ft which would be categorised as A, B and C classes depending on the extent of land and facilities offered. A minimum of 5 cents is required to construct such amenity centres.
However, issues related to Coastal Regulation Zone may come in the way of speedy execution of the project in coastal areas, Vijayakumar said.
Electricity and water connections are also likely to be delayed due to the same, he added.