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

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Friday, Nov 14, 2008
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Putharikandam Maidan to get a facelift

Special Correspondent

Corporation approves Rs.3.93 crore for the project

Thiruvananthapuram: After months of uncertainty, the City Corporation has finally given the green signal for a project to beautify the Putharikandam Maidan at East Fort and convert the sprawling grounds into a green lung.

The Corporation council last week approved the revised estimate of Rs.3.93 crore for the project.

A major portion of the outlay—Rs.1.9 crore—will be spent on landscaping the ground. 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 proposes redesigning of the grounds along a central axis linking the main entrance to an open-air theatre at the Power House road side.

The Quit India gate at the entrance is to be demolished and replaced with a new structure reflecting the traditional architecture of the East Fort.

The central portion of the four-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 VIP vehicles. An emergency exit and a separate parking lot would be provided for Fire and Rescue Services tenders.

To ease the traffic congestion in the East Fort area, a parking lot would be constructed in the area bordering the canal.

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

The need to revise the estimate in accordance with the new Public Works Department (PWD) schedule of rates for civil works led to the delay, they said.

A spokesman for the project designers said the stage would be designed to host major entertainment events drawing large crowds.

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