Renovated Kozhikode Town Hall likely to be opened by end of January

Kozhikode Town Hall renovation nears completion, set to reopen by end of January after protests and improvements.

The Kozhikode Town Hall, which has been closed down for the past four months for renovation, is expected to reopen by the end of January. Public Works Standing Committee Chairman P.C. Rajan said the renovation is nearly complete with only a few electrical fittings remaining.

The Town Hall, a cultural nerve centre of the city, was closed down on September 17, 2024. The lack of venues for public gatherings, as the Tagore Centenary Hall was also under renovation, had created quite a stir within the cultural community. Several protests were held demanding the Corporation to either expedite the reopening of the Town Hall or provide alternative arrangements. Subsequently, a temporary facility was set up on the premises of the Tagore Centenary Hall.

The protests also acted as a catalyst, speeding up the renovation works, which had not been completed within the expected three months. However, the Corporation carried out the much-needed renovation, given the poor condition of the stage, curtains, and electrical system in the building.

The renovation works included a change of the dusty and threadbare curtains, some electrification and fittings, painting of the whole building, and mainly changing the plastic chairs.

“There has always been a complaint that the stage was not visible to people in the back rows. While elevating the floor would be the best option, it does not suit the building. Therefore, the chairs are being raised slightly,” said Mr. Rajan. The old chairs have now been replaced with brand-new ones.

The renovation is being carried out at a cost of ₹30 lakhs. The Corporation is also planning to digitalise the pictures of sociocultural leaders that adorn the walls of the Town Hall as there is not enough space for more.