KOCHI:As part of the initiative to start night shopping at Broadway, the Kochi Corporation and Kerala Merchants Chamber of Commerce (KMCC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the ‘Upkeep and Maintenance of Broadway’, at a function held here on Tuesday.
The MoU was signed by Corporation Secretary V R Raju and KMCC general secretary Gopal Shenoy. Under the MoU, the Chamber of Commerce and Kochi Corporation will start beatification works along Broadway. In addition to the Rs 75 lakh spent for the project, the Corporation will pump in an additional Rs 90 lakh to spruce up the stretch.
The revamp works include installation of ornamental lamp posts and lamp shades, surveillance cameras, branded food kiosks, seating and parking facilities and restaurants and shops selling branded items. The business establishments will remain open until 1:00 am.
“By implementing the project, which will see people coming to Broadway for shopping at late night, we are aiming at restoring the lost glory of Broadway. We have adopted the system after studying nightlife in other metro cities like Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkata,” said KMCC president V A Mohammed Ashraf, who delivered the welcome speech at the function, which was presided over by Mayor Tony Chammany.
“We had included the project in our first budget, and it is about to become a reality soon. The shops in the area will be decorated with attractive name boards,” said Chammany, adding that the support of the police and people from all walks of life was necessary to make it a success.
“The civic sense of the people is a major factor that would decide the success of the project,” the Mayor added.
