The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has added one more operational base in the city with a new terminal constructed on 3.5 acres near the Anayara World Market. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy inaugurated the facility on Thursday in the presence of Minister for Transport Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.
The new depot, for which land was allotted in 2013, consists of a workshop, three bus bays, resting station for crew, and an administrative office.
Shifting of service
The terminal was built with the aim of shifting operation of buses from crowded depots at Vikas Bhavan, Peroorkada, Pappanamcode and Vellanad.
The depot had been constructed at a cost of around Rs.2 crore, of which Rs.1.5 crore was allocated by M.A. Wahid, MLA, from his local area development fund. A sum of Rs.55 crore was sourced from Plan fund. Chairman and Managing Director of KSRTC Antony Chacko said 20 buses from Vikas Bhavan and East Fort had already been shifted to the new terminal.
The buses would ply to places near the Kazhakuttam bypass. Mr. Chandy said setting up of the bus depot would further help in the development of the area. It would also help decongest terminals inside the city, he added. Mr. Radhakrishnan said the transport utility is on the revival path after being on a downward spiral for a long time.
At Eenchakkal
Later in the day, the Minister laid the foundation for another terminal-cum-shopping complex at Eenchakkal. The terminal will be constructed in 5.75 acres of land and will have space for parking 100 buses.
The 5,981-sq m complex will have two floors in the initial stage. The total cost for the complex is estimated at Rs.20 crore. The State government had sanctioned Rs.5 crore for initial works, said a senior official with the KSRTC.
News : The Hindu
