Chalai heritage project revised to link with Smart City

Thiruvananthapuram: The renovation work as part of ‘Chalai Heritage Street’ project, which began on November 1, is moving at a steady pace. The first phase of the work includes renovation of vegetable market, construction of amenity centre and main entrance arch.
Although two months have passed since the launch of the project, planned works in other areas of the market haven’t begun. The project has recently been revised to link it with the Smart City project and several additional features have been included. Authorities cite the revision of project as a factor for the delay. The project has also been extended to Killippalam Jn from the earlier plan to develop area till Aryasala Junction.

Vendors of the vegetable market had to be relocated for works and now vegetable vendors are scattered across the market. But they are not complaining.

Velmurugan R, a resident of Thirunelveli, who has been in the vegetable business at Chalai for the last 20 years, said that while the works which began on November forced many of the vendors to relocate, they were ready to cooperate and bear with temporary inconvenience as someone would always have to suffer for the common good. “Most of us are ready to comply with the instructions the authorities give and hence we readily shifted when they asked us to. While I get to sit in the shade, many of my colleagues have to sit it out in the burning sun to earn their bread. Initially, the progress was slow but now things have speeded up. So we hope they will complete the project by May, the previously declared deadline,” he said.

S Velayudhan, a vegetable vendor who was relocated as part of the renovation work, saidresource sharing has become an issue. “Previously, if I was low on a resource, I could borrow it from my friend in an emergency. Now he is at a different part of the market and that option has become not feasible. Even if we suffer today, we hope that soon there will be better facilities for us. I have been in Chalai market since I was 13 years old and now I am 64. Even though our business has been slightly affected now, from my experience I believe the renovation would improve things greatly,” he said.

According to engineers of Habitat Technology, the contractors for the project, 75% work for the second block of the vegetable market has been completed and works for the first block have begun. They said the work was progressing as per schedule and would be completed on time.

Habitat chairman R Shankar said the vegetable market renovation would be complete in another 60 days.

A section of vendors, however, expressed concern over the delay in starting other works which are part of the heritage street project. “When we were told about the project, we only raised one demand - timely completion of the project. Two months ago, they said that work for the main entrance arch will begin the next day but it is yet to start,” said Rafeek A P, President of Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) Chalai unit.

However, Habitat chairman said there was no delay and the work for main entrance would start soon. “April 30 has been set as the deadline for the first phase work. Entrance and amenity centre will be completed before that”, he said.

The second phase work including beautification of pathways and landscaping works would be completed before August.