First phase of new KSRTC bus terminal at Karikkamuri to start soon

Work on the first phase of the new KSRTC bus terminal at Karikkamuri, near the Ernakulam bus stand, is set to begin after the tender was awarded for 9.23 crore rupees.

Project Details

The KSRTC gave the Public Works Department the job of carrying out the project. The State government gave technical approval in August, and the department asked for bids for the construction in early September. SITCO Associates won the bid to build the first phase, and the project must be finished within 18 months of signing the agreement. The first phase will likely be a single-storey building with bus bays and space to build upwards later. Only KSRTC buses will be allowed in the new terminal, which will sit on 1.90 acres of land, because a plan made a year ago to include private buses was dropped.

Background

People have asked for a new bus terminal for more than twenty years because the current stand floods even after light rain. This problem continues during heavy rain even though the ground was raised and the area was fixed earlier this year. The project faced early delays when KSRTC chose not to do a land swap deal with the Vyttila Mobility Hub Society. There was also doubt about getting enough money until the project decided to use government funds.

Context

Public bus terminals in growing cities often need major upgrades to handle heavy traffic and fix basic infrastructure problems like flooding. State transport authorities work with public works departments to build and maintain these crucial public facilities.