streetscapes in boulevard segment with heritage status to be

The Puducherry government today said a sum of Rs 8.06 crore would be spent under a centrally sponsored scheme to revitalize streetscapes in boulevard segment having heritage buildings in the union territory.

This is part of the special schemes launched by the territorial government to refurbish heritage buildings housing government offices and also important infrastructures dating to the French regime.

A release from the office of Tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao said he laid the foundation of this project,which would cover development of pedestrian pathways, improving lighting facilities and urban landscaping, and also several others.

The release said Rs 83.45 lakh would be spent to give a facelift to buildings identified as heritage structures and housing the Tourism Department, Police Headquarters and the old secretariat, now housing the National Rural Health Mission office, all of which are close to the sea shore.

Grand Canal and Jawaharlal Nehru street in the downtown segment would be beautified and given a facelift at a cost of Rs 2.83 crore, it said.

Puducherry was formerly a French colony.

Jawaharlal Nehru was formerlyknown as 'Dupleix Street' and is one of the major shopping hubs in Puducherry.

French Governor Dupleix had stayed in one of the heritage premises in this street during the French regime.