In a major development, the state level steering committee chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday approved projects worth Rs 1100 crore submitted by the Kochi Corporation under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) programme. The projects which received approval are the following:
1. Pedestrian Friendly Urban Transport System (Rs 55 cr)
Under the project, pedestrian amenities including cross-walks and landscaping of central dividers, traffic islands, construction and renovation of drains and setting up of foot-bridges . Major roads proposed for pedestrian facility improvement are Marine Drive - Shanmugam road, Park Avenue Road and Foreshore road; MG Road, Chittoor Road, Banerji Road, Sahodaran Ayyappan Road and Durbar Hall Road.
2. Surface Water Drainage Project - East Kochi (Rs 40 crore)
Under the project, improvements to stadium link road drain west side, Chettichira culvert construction at Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Thevara- Perandoor Canal and construction of side wall of Kannamthodam Thodu - TP Canal will be undertaken.
3. Upgradation of Surface Water Drainage-West Kochi (Rs 50 cr)
Under the project, dredging and reconstruction of side walls would be carried out on important canals and sub-drains five times a year. The main canals covered are Kalvathy, Manthra, Rameswaram, Pallichal, Pashni Thodu, Kallichira, Binny Thodu, KMP Thodu, Vyasapuram Kuttichira Thodu and Ponnakari canal.
4. Improvement of Inland water transport System
Since only 40 per cent of the available waterways in Kochi are currently considered navigable by motor boats, the project proposes dredging of water ways depending on the need and demand for water transportation.
5. Renovation of various markets (Rs 32.68 cr)
As per the project, renovation and construction of buildings spread across seven markets: Chambakkara, Pachalam, Thoppumpady, Polakandam, Amaravathy, Koovapadam and Pattalam have been envisaged.
6. Revamping of historic trading area and landscaping of Broadway (Rs 25 cr)
The project envisages development of Broadway and renovation and development of Koithara Bazar Yard, Koithara to Broadway, Mather Bazar Road, Road around Koithara building, the parallel lane to Broadway, lane behind Thekumbagham Synagogue, Chamber’s Road, Cloth Bazar Road, Market Road and the Jew Street.
7. Renewal of Inner city core area of Ernakulam and Ernakulam market (Rs 15 cr)
The project proposes the development of 50-acres of land around Ernakulam market by retaining its heritage and tradition. The project include civil works, drainage and water supply, construction of a market square, providing an approach road from Banjerji Road through Valavi road, pedestrian way from bridge to market and two bridges at Kuttappayi Road to Valavi Road.