KOCHI: Notwithstanding a recent draft notification issued by the Local Self-Government Department on converting the Panampilly Nagar area into a mixed use zone, the ongoing battle between traders and a section of residents seems no way near the end.
While the trader fraternity is pinning hopes on reaching out to residents in the wake of the new draft declaration, the idea appears to have not gone down well among those opposed to the presence of commercial establishments in their neighbourhood.
“The State government has laid down instructions on the management of solid waste, regulating the use of heavy burners, and parking of trucks for converting the area into a mixed use zone. We have a month’s time to convince residents. We are hopeful of reaching a consensus,” said Biju C. Vallavanadan, secretary, Panampilly Nagar Association of Commercial Establishments and Residents (PACE).
The organisation is slated to convene its general body meeting on October 4.
PACE president K. Sreenivasan pointed out that most of those who own business establishments in Panampilly Nagar too reside in the area.
“Some commercial establishments have been here for the last three decades, and moving out all of a sudden will definitely affect business,” he said.
While the Town and Country Planning Act stipulates revision of the status of each area once in 10 years, the status of Panampilly Nagar, which was declared a residential area in 1969, has not been revised, he added.
Meanwhile, those who are waging a legal battle against commercial establishments appear unyielding despite the draft notification.
“We were expecting this, especially after the Town Planning Department sent a draft report in this direction to the State government. But the case is still pending with the High Court, which has only asked the city corporation to maintain status quo on commercial establishments for a brief period,” they maintained.
The civic authorities held that a final decision would be arrived at after addressing the concerns raised by residents.
“The mixed zone will be established only after implementing the directions laid down in the draft proposal. The corporation will also be constituting an authority to ensure the effective implementation of the directions,” said P.D. Martin, a local councillor.
The draft notification asks the city corporation to organise a public hearing seeking views on the proposal and submit a report to the State government.
The government will introduce provisions to address major concerns raised by the public, and the final notification will be issued thereafter.
