I believe GB Road must be the oldest paved road (concrete) in Palakkad town after the city (rather 'town') was formed. Some time back (about 30 years
ago), concrete surface of the GB Road was visible in its original shape, ie, like tarmac in an airport
with concrete blocks. It must have been built during the British Raj, the surface was very
hard and sturdy. GB Road, from
Melemuri on the one end and Sulthan Petta Junction on the other end was once
the busiest (I think even now it holds the record) roads in Palakkad town.
From Melemuri end to Shakunthala Junction wholesale shopkeepers (or traders) occupy most
of the shops on this road. Wholesale shopkeepers of vegetables, fruits, groceries and
commodities, textiles, hardware etc occupy this stretch of GB Raoad. From
Shakunthala Junction to Sulthan Petta, retailers (textiles, jewelers, hardware, etc)
occupy both sides of the road.
Similarly, Court Road from Kotta Maidanam to Victoria
College stretch is another important road in Palakkad which did not witness any
major changes in the last 30 years (or more). Both sides of the Court Road is
occupied by retailers of all products.
I think these roads must be the only major roads of any
district in Kerala, which did not change its shape or size and did not witness
any (creative) development along side after independence of India except for
the few buildings and shops which have come up along the sides. You could find
the same foot path with broken slabs, open manholes, plenty of garbage
everywhere on the road, lot of dirt and dust as we have seen 30 years before.
The only difference between those days and now is that the vehicle population
(especially cars) has increased on the roads with almost no parking space
available shoppers.
It is high time that Palakkad people need better roads with
proper parking facility for having a better retail shopping experience as well
as to have an aesthetic look to the town. To have a better and wider GB Road
and Court Road with pedestrian walk ways, signal lights, parking facilities,
the stake holders on both sides of these roads (businessmen - wholesalers and
retailers) have to take initiative and cooperate with the municipal
corporation.
Those, who have been to Koyambedu Moffusil Bus Stand in
Chennai must have seen huge buildings near it (or just opposite to it). These
buildings are built by Corporation of Chennai for whole sale trading of
vegetables, fruits, flowers, meat & fish products and commodities. These
buildings ensure that the whole sale sellers can put up a shop here and
similarly huge lorries come from various parts of Tamil Nadu for delivery of
these products do not enter Chennai city, directly go to this place, thus
reducing the traffic congestion in the city.
Now, I have mentioned this bring a similar concept in
Palakkad too. Municipal Corporation of Palakkad should plan and take initiative
in building such facilities separately away from city (somewhere in Kanjikode
or Valayar). The wholesalers based in GB Road should be convinced to relocate
to this new facility and should be allocated with space in the newly built up
area equal to that which they have in GB Road. This will reduce the traffic;
especially heave commercial vehicles which bring the goods and smaller
commercial goods which take the goods from market.
As a first phase project, a four lane road from Melemuri to Shakunthala Junction should be built on global standards with proper parking
facilities and pedestrian walk ways. Simultaneously, modern shops, malls,
restaurants should be planned and built on both sides with underground parking
facilities and safety measures. The other advantage of this is that the built
up area near Valayar / Kanjikode will serve almost the entire (or at least 75%
of) Kerala's requirement of vegetables, fruits, meat & fish and commodities
generating additional revenue for Palakkad.
Once the first phase project is completed (or before
completion), retailers on both sides of GB Road from Shakunthala Junction to
the Stadium Bus Stand should be given an option (or priority) to relocate to
the newly built first phase area.
In the second phase, four laning, parking facilities,
pedestrian walk way, underground parking in new buildings etc, etc., should be
built from Shakunthala Junction to Sulthan Petta Junction as similar to first phase.
Retailers, occupying these areas should be shifted / given an option shift to
the newly built first phase area from Melemuri to Shakunthala Junction.
Parallely or once the second phase is completed, Court Road
from Kotta Maidanam to Sulthan Petta Junction should be modernized in the third
phase and existing shops on this road should be given option to relocate to GB
Road (phase two) stretch from Shakunthala in to Stadium Bus Stand.
Finally, in the fourth phase, from Sulthan Petta Junction to
Victoria College should be converted in the same manner and shops (mainly
retail) on this stretch should be relocated to the modernized stretch from
Court Road to Sulthan Petta Junction.
This is not just a dream, but is a practical and achievable
with the support and positive encouragement from each one of Palakkad. Lot of
disruptions would happen (to life and business), especially to the business
men, but will be only temporary and will benefit each one of Palakkad. Once
completed, this would change the shape of Palakkad town and better business
activities would be generated.
I am sure that funding will not be an issue, because
Ministry of Urban Development of both Kerala and Central Government would
certainly help if a proper plan is submitted.
In further extension plans, stretch from Stadium Stand to
Chandranagar (Koottupatha) on Coimbatore Road, from GB Road X'ing to Tharekkad
on RS Road, Mission School Junction to Shakunthala Junction on TB Road and from
Kotta Maidanam to KRSTC Station should also be considered.
Trees should be planted (which is very much needed in this
hottest place in Kerala) on the both sides of the roads when development is
done and buses and commercial vehicles should not be allowed to enter on these
roads.
In the worst scenario, if shop keepers (whole sale) of the
stretch from Melemuri to Shakunthala Junction are not willing to relocate to
the wholesale commercial hub in Kanjikode / Valayar, they should be allocated
with space in the stretch from Stadium Stand to Chandra Nagar on the Coimbatore
Road.
