Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kochi
| Mahatma Gandhi Road | |
|---|---|
| Location: | Kochi |
| Length: | 4.0 km (2.5 mi) |
Mahatma Gandhi Road, popularly known as M. G. Road, is the main artery as well as the commercial high street of the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. The road lies north-south with its boundaries at the Venduruthy bridge, Thevara in the south, and the Madhava Pharmacy Junction in the north, where it intersects the Banerji Road. The road was earlier part of the NH 47A (Old Highway) and was later handed over to the Corporation of Cochin. The highway was earlier known as Seventy Feet road. The total distance of the road is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi).
M. G. Road is seen as the lifestyle district of the city of Kochi. On the sides of the road are the largest textile shops, as well as the largest jewellery outlets in the city. It was recently ranked one of the busiest and the most expensive in the state of Kerala.
Alongside of the road, several famous retail stores, hospitals, banks, leading hotels, malls and multiplexes are located. The famous Cochin Shipyard etc is also located in MG Road.
During days of British Raj, the Ernakulam city was part of Kochi Kingdom are located here. However it wasn't the capital city, rather a smaller town in the Kingdom. The oldest arterial road of the city was Chittoor Road built by Kochi Rajas connecting South Railway Station to Chittoor Temple in Pachalam. This road donot connect to southern side of the city, particularly to Fort Kochi, the British quarter of Kochi. The British Resident felt need of another major road that connects to south. In the year 1920, Sir Robert Bristow- the Chief Engineer who conceived the new port of Kochi, announced his plans to create a new island from sea between Ernakulam Mainland and Fort Kochi island and transfer the existing port to the new island. He visioned the urgent need of new road connecting mainland and new port island for transferring materials and in future cargo requirements.
in 1923 plans for new road was finalized and works was started with Consort Queen Neythar Amma Parukutty providing land for the same. The new road was seventy feet in width and hence named as Seventy Feet road and opened to public in 1925. The road connected to newly formed port island- Willingdon through a bridge and merged with Chitoor Road near Kacheripady where the Central City offices of Kochi Kingdom were located.
...
Wikipedia