M.G. Road in Kochi is all set for a makeover through projects that promote pedestrianisation in the city. The project design, pertaining to M. G. Road, is in its final stage and will help construct a walkway-cum-recreation space on one side of the M. G. Road corridor.
Representatives from the civic agencies and government departments such as the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) will meet on Monday prior to finalizing this project design. A second meeting with the traders is scheduled later this month. According to The Hindu, authorities hope to tender this work to external bodies by July.
The 350-metre-long walkway-cum-cycle-track (a similar project) in Panampilly Nagar is expected to be ready by June.
These projects, introduced as a part of the global trend to set aside adequate space for pedestrians, aim at returning the streets to the people as vehicles seem to unduly eat into considerable public space. Experts from the country and abroad had earlier expressed concerns over depleting or even non-existent pedestrian space in Kochi.
According to The Hindu, sources in the Kochi Metro Rail Limited—the organization spearheading both initiatives—said, “But care will be taken to earmark space for parking on M.G. Road so that traders are not affected.”
