KOCHI: The regional town planning office has commenced a survey of Panampilly Nagar to decide its status. The survey is in accordance with the decision of the Cochin Corporation to ascertain the changes that have come over in the area.
Though paucity of officials is likely to slow down the survey, it is expected to pick up momentum soon. The objective of the procedure is to alter the scheme in keeping with the changes witnessed at Panampilly Nagar, which was developed as a residential area four decades ago.
There has been a proliferation of commercial establishments in the residential colony over the years, and the corporation had plans to declare the place a residential-cum-commercial area. The fate of the colony will now be decided on the basis of the survey, which will ascertain the extent of commercialisation.
Meanwhile, Panampilly Nagar Association of Commercial Establishments (PACE) has reiterated that most business establishments in the area catered to its residents. PACE claimed that when Panampilly Nagar was developed as an area for housing, there were only around 100 houses.
PACE secretary Biju C. Vallavanadan said it would not be practical to declare the area purely residential. “At least 30 % of space has been commercialised. More than 80 % of building owners are senior citizens. The State government had a scheme in the past to declare Panampilly Nagar a night shopping area,” he added.
Mr. Vallavanadan, however, admitted that there had been complaints about pollution caused by hotel units. “Lack of space for parking has resulted in vehicles blocking entrances to residential units. At the same time, these issues can be addressed if the corporation swings into action,” he said.
