The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Putherikandam Maidan to get a facelift soon

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Saturday, Jul 14, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Putherikandam Maidan to get a facelift soon

Special correspondent

Corporation project to convert the sprawling grounds into a green lung

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The steering committee of the City Corporation has approved a proposal for the beautification of the Putherikandam Maidan at East Fort. The Corporation Council, which met here on Tuesday, decided to take up the project designed to convert the sprawling grounds into a green lung.

Under the proposal, the maidan is to be fenced and a walkway constructed along the boundary. The premises would be greened with trees and flowering plants.

The blueprint under the consideration of the corporation proposes redesigning the grounds along a central axis linking the main entrance to an open-air theatre at the Power House side. The Quit India gate at the entrance would be demolished and substituted with a new structure reflecting the architecture of the East Fort. The project is estimated to cost Rs.3.7 crore.

Safety features

The central portion of the 4-acre maidan would be maintained as an open ground with a fine sand surface. The big stage at the eastern end would be provided with provision for parking of VIP vehicles.

An emergency exit and a separate parking lot would be provided for Fire Force tenders.

The Kumar Group, which designed the project, has included a proposal to create a green canopy all around the premises with indigenous species of trees and creepers. A medicinal plant garden has also been proposed.

The designers are seeking technical expertise from the Kerala Agricultural University to incorporate a rainwater harvesting system which uses a network of underground pipes to direct stormwater run-off to a large pond with a capacity of seven lakh litres. Located at the northeast corner of the grounds, the pond would also be bridged with a walkway on floating pontoons.

A walkway near the main entrance at Pazhavangady would be provided with steps, enabling it to be used as a gallery for spectators.

The central portion of the walkway would have a raised platform, which can double up as a ticket counter for major events such as exhibitions held in the main ground.

The landscaped area along the perimeter would also have an inner fence to separate it from the open ground, with openings at regular gaps.

A parking lot would be constructed on the area bordering the canal.

Corporation officials said the beautification of the Putherikandam Maidan would be taken up as a priority project designed to give a facelift to the city.

A spokesman for the project designers said the stage would be designed to host major entertainment events drawing large crowds. “It will have provisions for a hydraulic system to create special theatre effects,” he said.

“Unlike the Gandhi Park, which was designed as a recreation centre, the renovation of the Putharikandam Maidan will focus on retaining the open grounds.

The idea is to beautify the premises and improve basic facilities for large public gatherings,” a senior Corporation functionary said.

The earlier proposal to take up the project with funds from the Theerpadham Urban Development Programme has been dropped following the Government decision to wind up the channelising agency.

Work after Onam

Mayor C.Jayan Babu said the work on the project was expected to begin after the Onam festival season.

“Officials have been directed not to take bookings for functions after Onam,” he said.

Mr. Jayan Babu said the budget allocation for the project would be supplemented with Plan funds and assistance from the Union Government under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

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