KOZHIKODE: The merchants at Kozhikode SM Street have declared a protest till death demanding the district administration to withdraw its decision over the restriction of traffic through the renovated SM Street. Kerala Vyapara Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi State President TO Nassurudin made the announcement to this effect during a meet organided by the merchants at SM Streeton Tuesday.
According to the merchants, the decision of district administration to impose traffic restriction without providing proper parking facility for the public outside SM Street was unacceptable. "The restriction of traffic during the eighth months of renovation work had cut our business in half. The various shopping complexes inside SM Street has facility to park over 1000 vehicles at the same time, hence there is no point in restricting the traffic here,", Mr Nassarudin said.
Our major priority is to make up for the loss suffered during the last eight months, the major reason being the traffic restriction imposed on these roads, he further added. This has badly affected more than 1500 shop owners here and the also more than 3000 employees who depend on these shops. Meanwhile, a team of experts including architect Praveen Ram, noted tourist guide Yatra Mohan and former director of archeological survey of India K.M. Mohammed conducted an analysis of the renovated work at SM Street on Tuesday.
According to them the street must be made people's friendly hence restriction of traffic is a must here. At the same time, they pointed out the flaw of district administration for not giving any prominence to Zamorins, when much has been spoke about preserving the street as Heritage Street. The inauguration of renovated street will be held on December 23 by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Excise Minister TP Ramnakrishnan will preside over.
