With the State Government making allocations in the budget for the  
Broadway and Ernakulam Market Heritage and Urban Renewal Project, the
Kochi Corporation authorities are planning to start its implementation
by April. 

The project was sanctioned in 2010 under the Jawaharlal
Nehru Urban Renewal  Mission (JNNURM) at an estimated cost of Rs 22
crore. But the delay in the  launch resulted in cost escalation taking
the total project cost to  Rs 34 crore.

“Though the State
Government had given in-principle nod for the tender  excess, the
project was at a standstill. The decision to allot the work to 
Marymatha Construction Company was taken after scrutinising the tenders.

But,
we were not able to allot the work owing to the delay in allotting 
state’s share for the project. The Union Government’s share will be 50
per cent of the total project cost. Out of the remaining 50 per cent, 30
per cent will have to be contributed by the State Government,” said a
top corporation official.

He said that now with the government
allotting funds for projects under  JNNURM, the Broadway renovation
project will soon be awarded. The State Government has set aside Rs
471.17 crore for the JNNURM projects that will be carried out in
Thiruvanathapuram and Kochi. The Ernakulam Market Heritage and Urban
Renewal Project mainly aims at the beautification of the Broadway and
the Ernakulam Market without interrupting the heritage value and
character of the existing structures. Introduction of proper waste
management, beautification of the walkways and providing roofing for the
area are other key components of the project.

The Fort Kochi and
Mattanchery Heritage Conservation Programme will be officially launched
by April this year. The Rs 51 crore heritage conservation programme,
mainly aims at protection, conservation and utilisation of heritage
resources in Fort Kochi and Mattanchery area. The project is being
implemented with the help of UNESCO, the French city of Lorient and
Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation (IHCNF).

“A three-day
workshop will be held in the second week of April in Kochi, which will
be attended by representatives of the entire agencies who are
associating with this project,” said a Corporation official. The total
project cost is estimated at Rs 51 crore. The other key components of
the project include the improvement of street lighting to ensure maximum
safety, revamping and modifying the streets of Mattanchery and other
heritage buildings in the area without affecting the heritage value.