After a dominant section of the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti came out in support of the district administration’s move to restrict vehicular traffic on S.M. Street, where renovation works are in the final phase now, another group of merchants has accused the authorities of trying to gain indirect control over the iconic area by declaring it as a heritage zone.
C.S. Natarajan, president, S.M. Street Samyukta Samara Samiti, told the media here on Wednesday that if an area was declared a heritage zone, its custodian would be the district collector and any repair or renovation of buildings in the zone would require the nod of the Centre. There were no heritage structures in the area and it was a business zone, he said.
Restricting the vehicular traffic would hit the business of the merchants there too. “People come there to shop, not to see the buildings. They may have to take their vehicles to the area. The merchants also need to transport their goods. The ban on traffic for the past few months for renovation works has already led to a 60% drop in business,” Mr. Natarajan claimed.
He said that no accidents had been reported from the area when vehicles were allowed in the past. Also, allowing vehicles would not damage the renovated street and it was not suitable for women and kids to walk.
“S.M. Street is a strategic point in the area and a connecting point to places like the railway station. There are many places of worship too in the area frequented by senior citizens and allowing vehicles is a must. Some people are talking about the lack of parking slots, they can do it on the premises of the business centres there,” he added.
Functionaries of the samiti have sent a petition to the district collector. They warned that they would launch an agitation if vehicular traffic was not restored fully on the
