SM street: Merchants will cooperate

KOZHIKODE: After much hue and cry, the district administration has ensured the cooperation of merchants for the inauguration of the renovated SM Street scheduled for December 7 at the hands of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The works for the renovation were completed in a speedy manner, said District Collector U.V. Jose. The District Collector said that the major issue pending was a parking solution, but that would be resolved soon after a last meeting with the merchants. Traffic would also be restricted through SM Street once it was completely opened, he said, adding that all the heritage streets around the country had restrictions on vehicular movements.

He also said that the renovation would become meaningful only if the traffic was banned here. Earlier the merchants opposed the decision of the district administration banning vehicular movement along SM Street, but welcomed the decision after several meetings. The members of the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti said that their motto was to support the administration to get back the lost business here. Rs 3.64 crore has been spent for the renovation. Other than the toilets and sitting facilities, the administration has also planned to ensure safety by fixing CCTV cameras all around the street. Also, people walking through the street will be entertained with light and slow music that will be played the whole time.