The Hindu 21.04.2010
Beautification project will be over by June
Staff Reporter
| Taken up on BOT basis, it is aimed at increasing green spaces |
Beautification of two parks, 10 traffic islands
No financial burden on city Corporation
Kozhikode: The ‘Blooming Calicut’ project initiated by the Kozhikode Corporation with the participation of a private agency to beautify the parks and traffic islands in the city will be completed by June.
Mayor M. Bhaskaran said here on Tuesday that the civic body had entrusted the task of renovating the parks and increasing green spaces in the urban area to a consortium of the Thiruvananthapuram-based Sahasra Interiors and Exteriors and the Kozhikode-based Solus and Solutions on a build-operate-and-transfer (BOT) basis. The project was to beautify two parks and 10 major traffic islands, he said.
The renovated Kelappan Park at Nadakkavu had already been opened to the public. “Work is apace at the Vagbhadanananda park in front of Government Homeopathy College at Karaparamba, which will be opened to the public on May 20,” he said. Three traffic islands had also been inaugurated.
Statues
Statues emphasising historical importance and contemporary values had been incorporated in the concept, Mr. Bhaskaran said.
S. Sreejith, Commissioner of Police, Kozhikode city, unveiled a sculpture at the traffic island in front of the office of the North Zone Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) at Nadakkavu on Tuesday.
The statue symbolises the concept of harmony. The statue on Beach Road is that of an anchor and on the silk street a merchant.
The Mayor said the beautification project drawn up with private participation was the first of its kind in the State. The Corporation did not have to shoulder any financial burden. At the same time, the consortium would carry out the maintenance, he said.
Anil Kummannur, project manager, Blooming Calicut, said the basic concept was to enhance the greenery at roundabouts and create lung spaces in the city besides incorporating some historical aspects at these traffic islands. A few firms had sponsored some schemes, he said.
Writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair will unveil a statue of “Pattummayude aadu”, a central character in Vaikom Mohammed Basher’s novel, at Mananchira in front of the SBT traffic island. This was sponsored by DC Books. U.A. Khader, Kerala Sahitya Akademi president, P. Valsala, writer, Fabi Basheer, Basheer’s wife, will take part in the programme.
A statue pertaining to William Logan’s Malabar Manual will be unveiled by the Mayor at the Government Model School junction on April 29. Deputy Mayor P.T.Abdul Latheef will unveil a statue of Pattammari at Poothanam Junction on May 5.
The renovated subway at Palayam will be opened on May 30. The island at the Pottammal junction will be inaugurated on June 5, Mr. Bhaskaran said.