Kochi: The
city corporation is planning to give a new look to the Ernakulam town
hall, one of the major landmarks in the city. Using the Plan funds, the
Mattancherry townhall will also be modernised.

The
renovation has been included under the Plan funds as a multiyear
project in 2012 – 2013 and 2013- 2014. A total of `1.5 cr has been
allocated for the renovation, `75 lakhs each for Ernakulam and
Mattancherry townhalls.

The corporation’s earlier plans to
renovate the townhalls could not materialise due to paucity of funds.
Though the corporation was expecting funds from the Delhi Metro Rail
Corporation (DMRC) for handing over eight cents of land to it for metro
rail works, it could not materialise as the civic body is not in
possession of ownership documents.

“We’ve
already shortlisted two or three designs for the renovation and the
final design will be decided based on the funds available. The Ernakulam
town hall is in a dilapidated condition and badly needs repairing,”
said Soumini Jain, works committee chairperson.

The
building which hosted several historical events was opened in 1960 and
the new EMS Memorial Hall, attached to it was opened in 2001.

“Though
there are plans to give a new look to the Ernakulam townhall building,
no major change will be made to the structure as it has heritage value
and historical importance,” she said.

Meanwhile, a section
of civic experts are apprehensive over the viability of using the town
hall after renovation as the metro construction works might create
access and parking problems.