Kozhikode Corporation develops comprehensive plan for urban beautification

Thamarakkulam, near the Temple of Varakkar, Xishan, will be developed under the urban revival and beautification plan. |Picture source: K. Ragesh

Kozhikode Corporation has developed a comprehensive plan to beautify the city under the state government’s urban rejuvenation and beautification program, which will affect Kerala’s implementation through special purpose tools.

One of the main projects under the program is the streets of readers, which will appear in Mananchira and adhere to Kozhikode’s status as UNESCO literature.

Deputy Mayor CP Musafar said in his budget speech on Monday that appropriate public places are necessary to promote a reading culture and encourage social participation of young people.

The 180-meter connection to the Mananchira gate to the public library will be developed as a Reader Street, which will be set as an installation focusing on the city’s reading culture. The budget allocation for the project is Rs 252 crore.

Part of the plan is to develop the site where Mananchira incorporates Comtrust into the pedestrian area while transferring traffic to Vaikom Mohammed Basheer Road. Meanwhile, the area, including the Town Hall, Art Gallery and Crown Theatre, will be a common square. It is also planned to be in the 206-meter long entertainment area at the junction of Puthiyara from Arayidatthupalam to the Conolly Canal.

The company has a grand plan to develop various water bodies in the city, especially the “Thamarakkulam” near the Walakka Temple. Although the pond and the palace forest are to be protected, an open gymnasium will be established on the east side of the pond. In addition to the pedestrian bridge leading to the center, granite ghats will be built for the public to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the pond. The budget allocation for the project is Rs 634 crore.

The pond in the Bilathikulam Temple house was also developed for Rs 7 million. The development includes the walls of the pond that will be filled with mural paintings depicting the history of the temple. In addition to developing public spaces for people of all ages, these projects are designed to resist antisocial factors.

The company also plans to establish city gates in Feroke and Korapuzha Bridges, allocating Rs 5 million.