KOCHI: The historic glory of Mattanchery and Fort Kochi, the two landmarks of Kochi, will be preserved forever as the Kochi Corporation has taken immediate measures to implement the Fort Kochi-Mattanchery Heritage Conservation project. It will be implemented with the technical assistance of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The project aims at making the heritage zones, Fort Kochi and Mattanchery, a well-preserved and well-managed urban site that is a safe, healthy and unique place to live and work in and to visit. It is included under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore. The state government had already decided to allocate Rs 15 crore for the project which is expected to be completed in September 2013. “A meeting will be convened in July to discuss the steps required for the implementation of the project. A workshop involving the stakeholders to discuss the project and a review on the heritage zones mentioned in the development plan for Kochi city region will also be conducted soon,” said Mayor Tony Chammany. He said that a base map will be prepared as part of the project. The detailed digital total station survey of the Fort Kochi and Mattanchery heritage zones will be done to record all physical features such as roads, canals, drains, building footprints, open spaces, trees and infrastructure facilities. A Heritage House will be set up which will be the main office of the implementing agency. “Kochi Corporation will be the nodal agency to implement the project. The Corporation Secretary will be the nodal officer and the Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development (C-Hed) will be the coordinating agency. The decision in this regard will be finalised after obtaining the approval of the Corporation Council,” the Mayor said.Apart from major monuments in Fort Kochi and Mattanchery, including the Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace and St Francis Church, the waterfront in these zones along with the Fort Kochi beach will be preserved. The project will also give due importance to the improvement and revitalisation of streets in Mattanchery. The safety lighting in the Fort Kochi waterside areas, the improvement of Fort Kochi jetty and bus stand are also part of the project. The project has also allocated funds for the improvement and renovation of the first stretch of the Kalvathy canal, the conservation of Mattanchery Palace and boat jetty and improvement of community-level open spaces in both heritage zones.
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