A modern walkway, open space and shacks housing eateries would be built along the 3-km-long stretch of road from the toll booth near the Thevara bridge to the Mattancherry bridge. The Rs. 13-crore project would be executed by the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), with technical help from the Kumar Group of Architects. The Kochi Refineries will give Rs 1 crore. The Rs 3 crore that had been earmarked for developing a model road from Rajendra Maidan to the High Court too will be used for this project.

With tourists visiting Fort Kochi and cruise tourists who arrive at the Kochi port using the stretch to commute, it needs a makeover. At present, garbage is dumped at many places along the road owned by the port. The ornamental palms planted on either side too need upkeep.

District Collector M Beena, who chairs the DTPC, said that a joggers’ track, play area for children, toilets, car parking area and an open-air auditorium too have been envisaged in the stretch. With many people airing their preference for native trees instead of ornamental palms, such varieties will be planted along the road.

The first phase of the project would be built using the Rs 4 crore that is available now. The rest of the funds would be used to construct the shacks.The project is expected to decrease the number of birds that come to prey on the garbage dumped on the road and thus pose a threat to flights that take off from the adjacent Naval airport.Managing partner of the Kumar Group S. Gopakumar said the project would create an entertainment space for city residents. Apart from the Marine Drive and DH Ground, the city does not have many open spaces.