* Minister inaugurates work to turn under-bridge space into public amenity
TTT NEWS NETWORK
KOLLAM, JULY 2024:
The comprehensive design policy being implemented in the state will strengthen the tourism sector significantly since it envisages to turn public spaces and physical assets sustainable, durable and aesthetically appealing for visitors and local community, Tourism Minister, Mr. P A Mohamed Riyas said today.
The Minister was speaking after inaugurating the works to beautify the space under the railway overbridge near SN College in the city to turn the neglected site into a pleasing public amenity. The launch of the project also marked the integration of tourism schemes with the innovative design policy.
“This project shows how unused public spaces could be creatively transformed into spaces for relaxation and entertainment for local people as well as tourists,” Mr. Riyas said.
There are many unutilised spots like this across the state which could be turned into people- friendly spaces by leveraging the Design Policy for planning and development, he said.
The project will be completed before the year-end and handed over to the city as a New Year gift in 2025, Mr. Riyas said.
Since unused places are shunned by the general public, they tend degenerate into frequents of anti-social elements, drug peddlers and garbage dumping grounds. This social menace could be tackled by turning such spots into public parks or sports grounds. Implementation of the Design Policy will secure this goal, the Minister said.
Presiding over the function, Mr. M Noushad MLA, said innovative projects of Tourism Department have imparted a fresh momentum to the tourism sector in the state. The project being inaugurated will be completed within the time-frame set for it since all the procedures to start the work have been completed, Mr. Noushad said.
Mayor Smt Prasanna Earnest, Councillors Mr. AK Sawad, Mr. Sajeev Soman, Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Ltd (KTIL) Chairman Mr. SK Sajeesh, District Collector Mr. Devidas N, Tourism Additional Director (General) , Mr. Vishnu Raj P, District Tourism Promotion Council Secretary Mr. Jyothish Kesav and KTIL Managing Director Dr Manoj Kumar K were also present.
The Rs two-crore project, which has secured administrative sanction of the Tourism Department, will lead to the development of a 70-cent site. The recreational facilities in the site will benefit the youth, children and the elders alike.
The plan envisages walking tracks, street furniture, food kiosks, courts for games such as badminton and basketball, a chess block, skating area, open gym and yoga-cum-meditation centre.
The blueprint for the project is drawn up by KTIL and Habitat Group has been selected as the Project Management Consultant. Kollam Municipal Corporation is entrusted with the management and maintenance of the facility in association with DTPC and departments concerned.
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