KOCHI: Finally, the long abandoned court complex at Mattancherry might get a fresh lease of life. Kochi MLA Dominic Presentation has stated that he would take necessary steps to renovate the dilapidated building and open a mini civil station there in two months. If the proposal finds any impediment, measures will be initiated to renovate the complex using the fund provided by UNESCO to preserve heritage sites. “I have three spots in mind to build a mini civil station. The court complex comes first, apart from spots at Thoppumpadi and RD office compound,” he said.The court complex is in a dilapidated state owing to negligence. It was awaiting a nod from Archeological Survey of India for renovation. However, the permission is yet to come, as every building in the area. within a radius of 100 m are considered heritage structures and constructional works are not allowed here. The locals have also come to the fore asking a change in the current state of the complex. “In the name of heritage, we are denied development,” said Sabair, a local. “There was a time when Mattancherry was the main artery of development. Waterways were developed and used for transport. The prices of grains were once fixed here. Efforts to renovate this building started many years ago. Many leaders like K Karunakaran and M K Muneer made honest attempts but to no avail. Now it has been completely destroyed. There is not a single thing inside this dilapidated place which can be reused. The activities that were centered around Mattancherry have vanished. Now, after 6 p.m. the place is like a graveyard.” T K Ashraf, Chairman, Health Standing Committee, Kochi Corporation said.
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