Kerala: Fort beautification work progressing


24-July-2003

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The beautification of the Fort area is progressing as
the tussle between the Corporation and the Archaeology Department has ended
with the decision that the keys of the constructed bunks would be handed
over to the Corporation authorities on completion of the work.

"We have not done anything regarding the legalisation of the bunks. We are
only giving them a cleaner and aesthetically-pleasing place to sell their
stuff. More than that the bunks are placed close to the wall of
Theerthapada Mandapam so that a space of two metres can be saved in front
of them," said Archaeology Department director V Manmadhan Nair.

The space in front of the bunks would be paved with cobble stones.

The Corporation had objected to the replacement of the bunks with permanent
structures behind the East Fort gate, saying that the bunk-owners had not
procured the licence of the Corporation.



The Corporation authorities have been given the assurance by the
Archaeology Department that the keys would be handed over to the
Corporation for distribution, considering the legalities involved.



The replacement of the bunks with permanent shops is part of the
beautification plan adopted by the Archaeology Department to preserve the
heritage buildings inside the Fort, covering an area of one square km.

For the plan, the Archaeology Department had identified 22 buildings for
renovation.



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Mark Hall
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