Kochi Corporation secretary asked to examine and report on implementation of resto cafe concept

The Kochi Corporation secretary has been entrusted with the task of examining the feasibility of implementing the concept of ‘resto cafes’, complete with public toilets on the ground floor and restaurants on the first floor, in the city.

Mayor M. Anilkumar asked the secretary to examine and report on various aspects of the project at the next council meeting, after which the council would take a call. The Mayor said setting up a couple of resto cafes on a trial basis and then expanding the project by permitting more would be ideal.

Locations of the proposed resto cafes, legalities, agreement, advertisement points in lieu of permitting cafes, and workspaces to be arranged in the cafes are among the various aspects to be examined.

The company, Urban Solutions, has proposed 25 such cafes across the city. The company did a presentation before the councillors at the council meeting on Wednesday.

Separate toilets for women, differently abled, and men on the ground floor and food kiosks and restaurants on the first floor have been proposed. The company proposes three categories of cafes. The premium category will have facilities like CCTV, Wi-Fi, sanitary pad incinerator, solar panel, and water conservation equipment. The other two categories will not have that many facilities.

The project will require a total of 75 cents. The cafes will be set up on build-operate-transfer model and handed to the Corporation after 20 years. During that period, the company will invest around ₹270 crore. The company will have to be allotted 3,500 sq m. for advertisements in lieu of setting up the cafes.

The company proposes to set up workspaces and water kiosks as part of advertisements. It proposes to generate revenue through toilets, workspace, and advertisements and pay tax to the Corporation.

The ruling LDF councillors said the company should not be allowed to make exorbitant profits, while the UDF councillors called for a cautious approach without summarily rejecting the project.

Published - June 19, 2025 01:41 am IST