Kottayam: The sky path in the city is being converted into a Gandhi Mandap after completion of its first stage. Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan MLA said the sky walkway will be converted in such a way that it can host seminars and conferences. He said the alteration has been done only at the top and that there has been no change in the basic design.
There is no need for a fresh permission for the revamp, he said.
The history of Kottayam city will be depicted in murals. “The Gandhi Mandap will become the icon of Kottayam city,” Radhakrishan said.
“Those who oppose the sky path have now sanctioned Rs25 crore for one in Kollam city’s Chinnakada,” he pointed out.
“We provided money for Kottayam in a flash. However, the new government stopped funding and the second stage work had to be halted midway as the first stage money has not been paid,” said the MLA, who was a minister in the previous government.
He demanded that the government immediately clear the arrears. “While the contract is for Rs 5.25 crore, only 35 lakh has been paid so far. Work will proceed only if the arrears are cleared.”
A floor on the sky path was to include places for relaxation and also shops. An aquarium was also proposed, but discussions did not go beyond the first stage.
The MLA said the seminar hall planned would be able to seat 100 people. Kitco handles the construction.
The sky path was originally planned as a pedestrian crossing at the busy Seematti Roundana. Stone was laid in 2016 and the deadline to complete it was six months.
The sky path is 45 metres wide and stands on pillars of six metre height above the Seematti Roundana. Two lifts are provided, besides steps.
In the first stage, 14 iron pillars were erected. An iron platform has to be installed above this. The platform is 24 metres wide at the CMS Complex.
The seminar hall and shops will be set up at the iron platform.
