Queen’s Way, one of the major hangout places in the city on Goshree Chathyath Road, will soon be under camera surveillance.
Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran will inaugurate the CCTV cameras and street lights installed along the way as part of its second phase development on Friday at 5 p.m. Hibi Eden, MLA, will preside.
The Queen’s Way was developed during the term of the previous government at an investment of ₹5 crore released by the Tourism Department. The musical walkway extends over a length of 1.80 kilometres.
However, soon after its inauguration miscreants stole lights and destroyed seats and costly plants. Following these developments, it was decided to mount CCTV cameras by allotting ₹14.50 lakh from Mr.Eden’s MLA Special Development Fund. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) granted another ₹24 lakh out of its corporate social responsibility funds.
The installation of cameras was entrusted with the Thiruvananthapuram centre of the public sector Kerala State Industrial Enterprises Ltd. Forest Industries Travancore Limited installed the streetlights.
Builders who have apartment complexes lining the Queen’s Way were entrusted with maintaining the cleanliness of the area and preserving the plants.
“In the next phase, an open air gym and toilets will be opened for those using the walkway for exercise in mornings,” Mr. Eden said.
K.V. Thomas, MP, Deputy Mayor T.J. Vinod, District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla, City Police Commissioner M.P. Dinesh, BPCL executive director Prasad Panicker, councillors Deepak Joy, Albert Ambalathingal and Ansa James will be present. The inaugural function will be followed by a musical concert.
