The Kozhikode Corporation will take steps to ensure that the Central government funds sanctioned for modernising the Central Market in the city are not lost, Mayor O. Sadasivan has said. He informed the Corporation Council that a meeting would be convened next week to discuss the matter.
The issue was raised by BJP councillor N. Sivaprasad during a discussion on the renewal of licences at the market during the council meeting on Monday (August 31). Mr. Sivaprasad expressed concern over reports that the funds could be diverted to Kottakkal municipality due to the delay in modernising the Kozhikode Central Market.
The BJP councillor said he had learnt about the reported move through the media and sought clarification from Corporation officials.
The Mayor said the Corporation had not received any official communication on the matter. Mr. Sadasivan added that he had discussed the issue with Faisal Babu, MLA, and that steps would be taken to expedite the project and ensure that the funds were not lost.
The Mayor further informed the council that the civic body would take steps to address the lack of uniformity in prices charged by hotels in the city.
The issue came up when councillor M.M. Latha pointed out that several hotels were selling food items at varying prices. The Mayor directed officials to take necessary action and said the matter would be discussed with office-bearers of the Hotel and Restaurant Association.
Leader of the Opposition in the council S.V. Mohammed Shameel Thangal of the United Democratic Front (UDF) also alleged that some hotels were charging higher prices from people coming from outside the city.
Meanwhile, the council decided to convene an urgent meeting in the presence of the Mayor to resolve the issue concerning piling work for the approach road to the Pavangad flyover.
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) had served a notice to the Public Works department to stop piling work as underground electricity cables were passing through the site where the approach road is being constructed.
The decision to convene a joint meeting was taken after councillor V.P. Manoj raised the issue, pointing out that the land where the piling work was to be carried out belonged to the Corporation and questioning the KSEB’s decision to issue the notice. He also sought steps to ensure that the construction work could resume.
Published – August 31, 2026 09:44 pm IST
