The massive Bus Terminal Complex being constructed by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on Mavoor Road is definitely set to become a landmark building of Kozhikode city. But, believe it or not, the 12-storeyed complex nearing completion is yet to get a building permit from the Corporation.
Information sourced by City Express using RTI Act from the Corporation has revealed that permit had not been sanctioned for the building due to violations of the Kerala Municipal Building Rules (KMBR). A joint venture of KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) and KTDFC (Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation), the application for the building permit was submitted before the Corporation on October 24, 2008.
When contacted, a top functionary with the KTDFC maintained that there was inordinate delay from the part of the local body to awarding the permit even after submitting the building plan five years ago. “The building plan was submitted in 2008 for approval based on the existing rules and regulations. However, the process got delayed. Later, after the widening of roads, the concerned authorities denied approval citing violations. Now we have approached the State Government through proper channel seeking exemption for the project based on the provisions in the latest building rules and considering the public interest at large,’’ said the official, who declined to be named.
Sources in the Kozhikode Corporation maintained that there was no major violations with regard to the main building. “The construction of subsidiary buildings has certain issues and hence the building permit has been denied. However, it is learnt that the layout of the project is yet to get approval from the Chief Town Planner as well,” a senior functionary of the Kozhikode Corporation said.
According to KTDFC officials, over 85 percent of the construction of the commercial complex has been completed. Though the tender-cum-auction process for the allotment o f space of the building was supposed to begin a few months ago, it got delayed due to a re-tendering for the electrical works and setting up of lifts. The biggest of its kind in the state and boasting of around 36,000 square metres, the bus terminal complex costing around Rs 55 crore will host bus station with facility for parking 40 buses at a time, offices, garage building and a cellar for parking vehicles.
The main building consists of two towers with spaces for offices, restaurants and shops. Having a whopping 30,000 square metre of commercial space, the project is expected to bec o m e a prominent business hub of Kozhikode and reduce the shortage of commercial space within the heart of the city.
Source: New Indian Express
