KOZHIKODE:The final draft of the master plan (development plan for Kozhikode 2011- 2031) being prepared for the city and its neighbouring areas will be submitted to Chief Town Planner (CTP) for obtaining his nod by August 20.
Recently, CTP had approved all 75 amendments, proposed by the joint town planning committee, to be brought to the draft plan. Officials with the Regional Town Planning office said that the preparation of the final draft is almost over. “We need to incorporate additions along with making omissions as part of bringing the proposed amendments in the final draft. The process of making these changes is in its final stages and we hope to submit the final draft to CTP by August 20,” says K V Abdul Malik, Regional Town Planner.
Once the CTP approves the draft, it will be put before the City Corporation council before submitting to the state government for the final nod.
The draft will be published after getting permission from the state government and public will be given two months’ time to make their suggestions, before publishing the master plan.
The new master plan would cover a total 177.09 sq km area under Kozhikode Corporation and Olavanna, Feroke, Ramanattukara and Kadalundy panchayats.
Meanwhile, officials added that although a number of amendments have been made, the core of the draft master plan remains unchanged. It identifies five places as catalysts for growth - proposed Mobility Hub and surroundings in Malaparamba, Medical College, IT Park and contiguous areas, Ramanattukara and Beypore port-Nirdesh area. Besides, it proposes three special development zones - Beypore port, mixed zone on the landward side of the Beach and the warehousing and industrial area at Olavanna. Another major proposal is the development of inland waterways for passenger and freight traffic from Elathur to Kadalundi using EK and BK Canals and a connection to Mobility Hub. On the industrial and commercial front, the draft plan calls for the creation of a new growth centre at Malaparamba. Further, it also plans walkable commercial streets, parking plazas, shifting the vegetable market to Kalluthankadavu etc. As part of developing the tourism sector, the master plan envisages Kadalundi eco-tourism village, Elathur waterfront tourism, water cruise through Canoly Canal and rivers and creation of a waterway network.
The master plan comes to fruition after much delay and dillydallying over its preparation. The new plan was expected to come into force by 2011, but got delayed largely owing to official apathy. The city is currently depending on a plan that covers an area of only 111 sq km. Prepared by the Calicut Development Authority in 1980, the plan was valid only till 2001, but is still in use.