KOZHIKODE: The Rs 5-crore heritage street project aimed at giving a facelift to the SM Street will only help cover up the decay and safety risks of the old structures, it is feared. Dilapidated buildings that are over 100 years old, narrow lanes and illegal business houses without fire safety precautions would continue to function.
Many organisations have demanded that the authorities first address more important issues to make SM Street safe for both customers and shop owners.
The district tourism promotion council has already started to implement the project with the government sanctioning Rs 2.65 crore for it.
“We intend to give SM Street a heritage look. The front of all shops would be renovated as per the design. However, there are no provisions for strengthening or re-constructing the existing structures,”Mr P.G. Rajeev, secretary, DTPC, told DC.
It has scheduled a meeting of political representatives and traders to discuss and finalise the project, and architect R.K. Ramesh would present his model for renovation.
The Taxpayers’ Associa-tion has opposed the heritage project and asked the authorities to abandon it. “Considering the condition of old buildings, narrow lanes and the rush at SM Street, the project would only heighten the chances of disaster. The government itself will be violating the existing building rules if it implements the plan,” said P.T.S. Unni, chairman of the Taxpayers’ Association.
It also demanded that the government should demolish the older buildings and redesign the street by taking care of fire safety.
Meanwhile, collector N. Prasanth told DC that the Disaster Management Authority had already issued notices to certain buildings and shop owners in SM Street, who have not complied with the safety measures.
“It may the first time that notices have been issued under the strict provisions of the Disaster Management Act. If they do not comply, we have provisions to prosecute them as per the Act,” he said.
