The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Broadway project gets clearance

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Wednesday, Feb 10, 2010
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Kerala - Kochi

Broadway project gets clearance

Staff Reporter

The Ernakulam market will be revitalised without damaging its essential character.

KOCHI: The Broadway and Ernakulam market heritage urban renewal project of the Kochi Corporation has been approved by the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission for funding.

The project was presented by the Kochi Mayor Mercy Williams and Monolita Chatterji, the lead technical associate of the civic body for the project, at New Delhi. The civic body would get a central assistance of Rs.22.1 crore for the project.

The redesigning of the Broadway Street for “pedestrianising” it during peak usage hours is one of the important components of the project. The Ernakulam market would be revitalised into a modern facility without damaging the scale and essential character of the architectural ensemble. A private-public participation project for the Market Square building is also planned, according to the project proposal. The road stretch between Banerjee Road and Market Square would be developed and branded as a new entry point into the project zone. Additional parking area will be created here to support the ‘pedestrianisation’ in the project zone.

The Broadway area was identified as the important part of the Ernakulam Central Area Heritage Zone. The civic body had assigned the responsibility of preparation of heritage and tourism projects including the Broadway project to the Centre for Heritage Environment and Development.

The authorities are hopeful of starting the project immediately as no land acquisition is required.

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