: The comprehensive master plan for Kozhikode urban area is expected to give an impetus to the felt-needs such as transportation and the tourism sector.
Besides, the adjoining grama panchayats of Olavanna, Feroke , Kadalundi and Ramanattukara, which have been added to Kozhikode city, will get more recognition with their rapid urbanisation. Recently the State government decided to de-link the erstwhile Cheruvannur- Nallalam, Beypore and Elathur grama panchayats, which had been merged with the Corporation before the 2010 polls, to form three separate municipalities. Even though the de-linking of the three sectors has become a political debate and now legally fought in the High Court of Kerala, the evolving urban characteristics of Cheruvannur-Nallalam, Beypore and Elathur remains unquestionable. Further, the government has also decided to upgrade Feroke to a municipality.
Thus the master plan, which has been approved by the joint planning committee, is now being sent to the Chief Town Planner for approval. It has been prepared with a focus on the growth prospects of the city in the next 20 years, said K.V. Abdul Malik, Regional Town Planner.
The master plan has proposed to convert the existing market at Palayam into an indoor complex and develop a commercial complex at Valiyangadi (Big Bazaar) and establish an international convention centre on the premises of Kerala Soaps Ltd. Another is rehabilitating the colonies at Nadakkavu, Kalluthankkadavu and EMS Stadium. Focus has also been given to develop the large swathe of marshy lands lying in between Malapparamba-Paroppady and Kannadikkal into a fresh water lake. The historic Sweet Meat (S.M.) Street, Tali, Kuttichira, Thiruvannur, Bilathikulam, Thamarakkulam and Mananchira will be transformed into heritage centres. The master plan also wanted the commercial S.M. Street, Customs Road, Palayam- Tali and Moideen Palli Road free of vehicles. A heritage walk has been planned between Varakkal temple to Canoly Canal. An eco-tourism village at Kadalundi, waterfront tourism at Elathur, water cruise through Canoli Canal and creation of waterway network in the city are new schemes. Another proposal is inland water transport for passengers and freight traffic from Elathur to Kadalundi using Elathur-Kallayi and Beypore-Kallayi canals and a connection to the mobility hub at Malaparamba.
Model fishing villages have been envisaged at Mukhadhar, Puthiyappa and Chaliyam. Other proposals are a swimming pool at Eranikkal, night shelter near Railway Station Link Road and a dry dock on the Beypore port premises.
