KOCHI: The state government, on Thursday, gave the nod for the Fort KochiMattanchery Heritage Conservation Project proposed by the Kochi Corporation.The plan, formulated with the technical assistance of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), is proposed mainly for the conservation and management of the heritage zone of Fort Kochi and Mattanchery.The decision came after a meeting held between Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany and Town Planning committee chairman K J Sohan in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.The Chief Minister, after discussing the various aspects of the project with Industries Minister P K Kunhalikkutty and Tourism Minister A P Anilkumar, gave the inprinciple approval for the project.The government will provide Rs 15 crore for the project, which will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore. The Corporation will be the nodal agency to implement the project."The Chief Minister said that Rs 10 crore out of the allocated amount will be released this year. The remaining amount of Rs 5 crore will be allotted next year. We are planning to include the project in the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)," Chammany said. The delegates of UNESCO were also present at the meeting."The experts from UNESCO have prepared a detailed report on the list of activities and projects that are needed for the protection, conservation and maintenance of the heritage resources of Kochi. Based on the report the projects will be implemented with their technical assistance," he said. Some of the key projects proposed in the UNESCO's report include the maintenance and revitalisation of Mattanchery Street, the improvement of Fort Kochi boat jetty and bus station, renovation of Mattanchery Palace and maintenance of Kalvathy canal.
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