Maradu municipality set for major eviction drive to revamp Kundannoor Jn

Kochi: As part of upgrading public infrastructure, Maradu municipality is set to launch a forceful eviction drive at the busy Kundannoor Junction, where an array of public amenities will be set up.

The cleanup follows a survey conducted two days ago to demarcate govt purambokke property, after which formal eviction notices were served to several unauthorized structures. Among those facing removal are wayside eateries, three vendor shops, a headload workers’ union office and a local library.

“All others except three shops vacated the land. The shop owners will be given four more days to vacate. Meanwhile, other structures will be razed on Wednesday. A final sketch regarding the amenities will be prepared after assessing the total land,” Maradu municipality chairperson Ajitha Nandakumar said.

The eviction clears the deck for a comprehensive junction transformation project funded by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL). The municipality plans to utilize the reclaimed land to construct several modern public amenities, including an open-air stage, a children’s park, a public toilet complex, an electric vehicle (EV) charging station, a selfie point and an Indira Canteen offering affordable meals.

“The junction remained neglected for a long period. We’re transforming the region with all necessary amenities. Land is an issue and hence the eviction drive against unauthorised vendors,” she said.

Concurrently, Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK) is scheduled to begin infrastructure works to streamline and develop the crucial intersection. “The process of acquiring 16.24 acres of land as part of the Rs 10.53 crore project to widen Kundannoor Junction and the service roads will commence in the coming days,” said an RBDCK official.

As part of the wider beautification plan, Nandakumar said local body approached National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for permission to reclaim the vast space beneath Kundannoor flyover. Currently plagued by rampant illegal parking, the municipality intends to transform this space into a secure, public mini park modelled after a successful urban project in Kollam.