Thiruvananthapuram: The much-hyped Chalai heritage street project has been scaled down owing to paucity of funds. The Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL), the implementing agency, is learnt to have redesigned the project focusing only on the first part of the original project modelled on SM Street in Kozhikode. The focus now will be only on the beautification of all eight roads leading to the 400-year-old market.
The re-modification of the heritage street project will take place without evacuating the traders. As per the new decision, priority will be given to enable smooth road connectivity to the market by renovating the adjoining roads. The market will have eight access points.
A senior official of the SCTL told TOI that SM Street model development was on hold for the time being and the current agenda includes road beautification, signages, and street light installation works. “The road works have started; the street light installation works will also begin soon. However, the concept of converting it into a heritage street is not possible now, and it can be done in the next phases.
If we receive funds from projects, including the AMRUT scheme, we can expand the plan further and construct the other components provided in the project’s scope,” the official said. According to MLA Antony Raju, who oversees the project, the review meeting to be held in the first week of Sept will decide the fate of the heritage street project. “We will take measures to complete the first phase of the project at the earliest.
The road works are in progress,” Raju said. Though the current deadline for smart city projects is March 31, 2025, the SCTL is focusing on completing the work before Sept 30, 2024. Earlier, the fund allocated for the project by the state govt for the 2016–2021 tenure had lapsed due to the delay in the execution of the project.
The delay was caused by the frequent opposition of the traders in the market. The major work pending is the restructuring of the street to make it pedestrian-friendly and to modify the buildings aesthetically. We also published the following articles recently Karnataka cabinet approves Bengalurus first tunnel road project The cabinet approved Bengaluru's first tunnel road project worth Rs 12,690 crore to address traffic issues.
The 18km corridor from Hebbal to Central Silk Board will also see a 250-metre sky deck constructed. Private players will handle LED streetlamp installation for seven years, saving Rs 300 crore annually on electricity. New Indira Canteens are also planned.
CM vows to complete repair works for Somasila project by spending Rs 140 crore Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu committed Rs.140 crore for Somasila project repairs in Nellore district. Addressing farmers, he criticized the previous YSRCP government for neglecting irrigation projects.
Naidu highlighted historical efforts to boost the reservoir's capacity and assured attention to the Kandaleru reservoir. State endowments minister and Nellore MP also participated. Rs 12,650 crore: Karnataka cabinet approves Bengaluru's first tunnel road project The cabinet approved Bengaluru's first tunnel road project, costing Rs 12,690 crore, aimed at reducing traffic congestion.
The project includes an 18km twin-tube corridor from Hebbal flyover to Central Silk Board junction with five entry/exit points. Additionally, a 250-metre sky deck worth Rs 500 crore was greenlit. The projects will be developed through public-private partnerships.
.
