Centre grants Rs 50 crore

THRISSUR: Kerala Finance Minister Dr T M Thomas Isaac Saturday said the Centre had granted Rs 50 crore, inclusive Rs 3.5 crore sanctioned earlier, for the Muziris Heritage Project (MHP) stretched in the Ernakulam and Thrissur districts.

He told reporters that the total outlay for the project would be Rs 170 crore.

The funds granted by the Centre would be utilised for the rejuvenation of archaeological monuments in the project area approved by the Archaeological Survey of India and re-organization and modernisation of markets there, he said.

Several proofs had been recovered following excavations from Pattanam near Muziris (Kodunglloor) where export and import trade was flourished even Before Christian Era, the minister said.

Isaac said that the State Government would bear the cost of construction of roads and canals network, construction of a cultural complex at the Kodungalloor Kunjukuttan Tamburan Memorial Government College and setting up of 20 heritage museums.

He said that the Union Governments Cultural Department would also extend financial assistance for setting up of proposed museums. The contents of the proposed museums have already been finalised and the design work would be completed in a few months, he said.