THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The district tourism promotion council has asked for the custody of RKV lane, a crucial tourism corridor which is in a dire state due to haphazard parking and cluttered tea shops, from the city corporation to transform it into a tourism-friendly zone.
The road leading to Sooryakanthi — the biggest fair ground in the city — is currently in a dilapidated condition. The welfare standing committee chairman Palayam Rajan said that the civic body was very positive about the project.
“The tourism authorities will maintain the stretch using the funds raised from parking and advertisements. The stalls which would be set up for rehabilitating vendors will be under our possession. We will collect rent from them. We have granted in-principle approval for the project,” said Mr Rajan. He said that now it was up to the council to decide.
District tourism promotion council chairman O.T. Prakash said that the tourism department would not be interested in pumping in money to give a makeover for the stretch without the civic body transferring custody.
The components of the proposal include renovation of the road stretch, rehabilitation of traders, drainage and electrification and providing organised parking in the stretch.
“The first thing would be to prohibit parking of heavy vehicles. Only limited and organised parking would be allowed on the lane. Vehicles entry and parking will also be restricted to light vehicles,” said Mr Prakash.
