Heritage Corridor project likely to get nod

KOZHIKODE: A Heritage Corridor project including SM Street, Mananchira square and nearby places is likely to be sanctioned by the state Tourism Ministry, said M K Raghavan MP. Speaking to media persons here on Sunday, M K Raghavan said that the proposal submitted by him to Tourism Minister A P Anilkumar was approved by the minister and a meeting would be held in Kozhikode on July 31 to discuss the feasibility of the project. According to the MP, the project proposal - ‘SM Street and the Heritage Corridor’ would include SM Street, Court Road and Moideen Palli Road. Four entrances would be constructed at four sides of the Street as part of the project. Mananchira Square, Commonwealth Weaving Factory, Town Hall, Basel Mission Church, Pattalappalli, Kottapparambu, Zamorin’s Barrack, Thali temple, Jain temple, Kuttichira mosque, beach, light house, Budhavihar, old corporation office, Gandhi statue, Valiyangadi and railway station would be included in the project as heritage monuments.The project also aims to organise trade fairs at SM Street. A meeting point of writers and cultural activists once, the SM Street would be developed into a heritage centre, said the MP. The project proposal submitted by the MP also include electricity supply, communication system, irrigation and underground drainage system for the SM Street. According to the proposal, a huge entrance that would welcome the visitors to the Heritage street would also be set up. As per the proposal, the first phase of the project would be completed in a year without disturbing the traders and public, MP exuded confidence. Members of Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi and Vyapari Vyavasayi Samithi along with tourism department officials would attend the meeting convened by Tourism Minister A P Anilkumar. Another proposal for the expansion of Mananchira Square by including the RDO office complex was also submitted to the tourism minister, said M K Raghavan, adding that a car parking area, open air stage and amphitheatre could also be constructed at the extended area. Proposal for a Museum Complex at Kottaparamba has also been approved by the Minister, said the MP. The museum would help the researchers study the history and heritage of Kozhikode. A proposal to bring together the eco-tourism development projects including Hortus Malabaricus herbal garden, Kadalundi community reserve, development of Kozhikode beach and Sarovaram, Malabar wetland tourism circuit covering Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod districts, setting up of wetland authority in Malabar and destination development projects at Peruvannamoozhi and Kakkayam, in order to transform the district into an eco-tourism centre has also been submitted to the minister for consideration, said Raghavan.