India’s biggest shopping mall opens in Kochi

KOCHI - Chief Minister Oommen Chandy opened Lulu mall, claimed to be the biggest in the country, at Edapally here on Sunday. He hailed the world-class shopping facilities at the mall and congratulated NRI businessman Yousuff Ali for establishing it. Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan, Union Ministers Vayalar Ravi and K.V.Thomas, Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty, Prime Minister’s Advisor T.K.A. Nair were present during the opening ceremony. Mr. Achuthanandan, during whose tenure as the Chief Minister the construction of the mall began, commended the execution of the mall within three years. He also recalled Mr. Ali’s mediatory role in the Smart City project. The shopping mall, built with an investment of Rs 1,600 crore, is spread over 25 lakh square feet in 17 acres. It houses food court, money exchange, entertainment zone, ice rink, cinema halls, prayer halls and baby care centre. The food court with 18 counters can host 3,500 people. Nine cinema screens with a total capacity of 2,250 seats would open by early April, the promoters said. Designed by U.K.-based consultants WS Atkins, the mall has a capacity of 300 stores and parking facility for 3,000 cars. The mall employs 3,000 people now and is set to add another 2,000 on the rolls soon, said Mr. Ali. LuLu group’s managing director Mr. Ali was featured in Forbes Magazine’s list of billionaires in the world. source: The Hindu