Literary corridor to become reality in Kozhikode in one year

Experience Kozhikode's literary corridor, part of a city beautification project, connecting bookshops, reading corners, and relaxation spaces.

A dream destination for literature enthusiasts is set to take shape in Kozhikode—a 200-metre-long literary corridor lined with bookshops, reading corners, and spaces for relaxation. The corridor will span the stretch from the Public Library to the Mananchira Pond, located between Mananchira Square and the Comtrust compound.

The initiative is part of the Urban Rejuvenation and Beautification Project by the state government, aimed at making cities more people-friendly and sustainable. “The literary corridor will be a feather in the cap for Kozhikode, the UNESCO City of Literature. It will be our pride,” said Mayor Beena Philip, who is also chairperson of the City-Level Committee overseeing the project.

‘Impact Kerala’ is the Special Purpose Vehicle for the project. The plan is to develop the corridor with ‘Katha’ (story) as the theme. Along with the literary corridor, the beautification plan includes developing a recreation centre on the banks of the Conolly Canal, enhancing the aesthetics of ponds at Bilathikulam and Thamarakkulam (near Varakkal), and creating a Miyawaki Forest.

“Thamarakkulam will be developed as a tourist centre, while Bilathikulam will serve as a pilgrimage site. Ghats will also be constructed along the Conolly Canal for people to relax,” the Mayor added. However, cleaning the canal is a top priority before initiating further development. “The Corporation will soon introduce a project to prevent all forms of waste disposal into the canal,” she added.

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted by Impact Kerala to the State government estimates the total cost of the project at ₹100 crore. The project is expected to be completed within a year.

Meanwhile, the Urban Rejuvenation and Beautification project is being implemented in six cities across the state with Kozhikode, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram leading the way. The ₹300 crore project is funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).