Ministry of Urban Development has approved “Broadway & Ernakulam Market Heritage Urban Renewal Project” for Kochi in Kerala under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). The Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) for sanctioning of projects under Sub Mission I of UIG under (JNNURM) has approved this new project for Kochi in its 82nd meeting held under the chairmanship of the Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development.

The aim of the project is to create integrated pedestrian zone which will bind heritage zone and shopping activities into a well connected urban heritage precinct and will improve traffic and parking management in the area. It will retain heritage importance of the place while improve pedestrian related infrastructure and shopping related facilities. Revenue generation from the area will also improve as a result of environment improvement through betterment charges and other rentals. As a whole it will improve heritage and urban image ability of Kochi Heritage Zone 3 to make it a more popular shopping and safe pedestrian environment.

The project will be implemented by Kochi Municipal Corporation and will take a period of 24 months for completion.

Broadway, the shopping hub of the city, will become a showcase of Kochi heritage if a project for restoring its past glory is cleared. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) authorities will consider the Broadway heritage conservation project submitted by the civic authorities soon. The heritage experts, under the auspices of the Centre for Heritage Environment and Development and the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project, have submitted a Rs. 30-crore-project for the conservation efforts of the Broadway. Though the Mission authorities had in principle approved the projects earlier, they sought clarifications and additional details regarding the project.

The project also needs to be cleared by the central steering and monitoring committee of the Mission. The committee will meet on January 11, and the Broadway project is expected to come up before it.

Changes : There will not be any additional constructions at the Broadway. Instead, the dilapidated structures will be rebuilt according to the original structure. Uniformity in architecture including the facade will be ensured and a common colour code will be introduced to the buildings in the area so as to highlight the grandeur of the heritage area. Installation of heritage road furniture, public amenities like telephone booths, drinking water points, street lighting, beautification of the Ernakulam market and preservation of the nearby water bodies will also be undertaken as part of the project.

Support from locals :The civic authorities hope to get the support of the trading community and the organisations of the traders in implementing the project. A few rounds of discussions were also held with the representatives of the organisations of the traders and business community to ensure their participation in the project.

Side Effects : Once the project is implemented, vehicular movement along broadway would be restricted. The trucks and lorries bringing merchandise will be permitted to enter the area only during the night hours.The option of allowing cycles along the broadway is also being considered by the authorities. The vehicles bringing people to the area will be directed to parking lots and the shoppers can either move on cycles or take a walk along the road.

How long will the project take to complete it take if commissioned ? : The project will not need much time to take off, as no land acquisition is required for it. The Mission would release its share of Rs. 15 crore—half of the project cost— once the project is cleared. The State government and the Kochi corporation will have to raise its share for implementing the project.