Kochi: One of Ernakulam’s oldest and busiest market place Broadway, though undergoing a sea change, still lures people. Heritage buildings are giving way to multi-storey commercial structures and shopping malls whose construction leaves little space for shoppers to move.

If this 250-metre-long Broadway still retains its glory of a rich past, very old establishments like Bharat Coffee House, has a pride of place. Those coming to the hotel are taken down memory lane of a bygone British era.

Photographs of old Cochin give visitors an insight into the past.

Scents of spices, new clothes and essential oils linger on the all-time busy street.

Building owners are vying to set up new structures and creating more area for business. This is being done by demolishing old structures, said a trader. But increased construction activities have made shopping difficult as construction materials are dumped on the road and footpaths causing inconvenience to the shoppers.

Shoppers prefer to use footpaths to avoid being hit by vehicles as the Broadway, a misnomer now, has simply turned so narrow. Kochi Corporation and police officials are doing little to make Broadway a convenient place for shoppers, the trader added.

His fears that if things continue at this pace, all heritage buildings will vanish remain.