KOCHI: The much-awaited Broadway renovation project has finally taken off with the Kochi Corporation inviting tenders for the work. The major components in the tender include renovation of Ernakulam market and laying of tiles on the pavements and underground electric cables and erecting a roof for the Broadway.The `21.5-crore worth Broadway and Ernakulam Market Heritage Urban Renewal Project, under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), got the Centre’s nod in February 2010. But, after the initial buzz, the project came to a standstill. However, now with the first phase of the JNNURM projects ending in March 2012, the civic body has decided to invite tenders soon and allot the work. The last date for submitting the tender is January 31. As per the project prepared by the Centre for Heritage Environment and Development (C-HED), the Broadway and Ernakulam market, two busy shopping hubs in the city, will be revamped with modern facilities without damaging the scale and essential character of the architectural ensemble. Heritage conservation, waste management, traffic management as well as vendor and street hawkers management are the key components of the plan. Creating an integrated pedestrian zone is another major objective. The walkways along the Broadway will be renovated so that pedestrians will be able to walk along the road easily. Wayside vendors at the market will be reorganised to provide more space for customers.“Apart from the above components, a separate tender will be floated for the rectification of the bio-gas plant near the market pond,” said a top Corporation official.The installation of heritage road furniture, public amenities like telephone booths, drinking water points and improved street lighting are also part of the project. As per the project, there will not be any additional constructions in Broadway. Instead, the dilapidated structures will be rebuilt according to the original design. Uniformity in architecture, including the facade, will be ensured and a common colour code will be fixed for the buildings in the area so as to highlight the grandeur of the heritage zone. The project also includes electrification of Broadway, uninterrupted water supply, proper drains, electrification of market, construction of a biogas plant and conservation and beautification of the market pond without any deviation from its existing structure.
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