Work on first phase of new KSRTC bus terminal at Karikkamuri to begin soon

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

The KSRTC had entrusted the Public Works department (PWD) with executing the project, following which the State government issued technical sanction in August. The department invited tenders for the construction in early September.

The project is to be completed within 18 months of the PWD entering into an agreement with SITCO Associates, which won the bid to construct the first phase of the bus terminal, a senior KSRTC official said.

The first phase of the bus terminal complex is likely to be single-storey, with dedicated bus bays and provision for its vertical expansion at a later stage, it is learnt. The demand for a new bus terminal dates back more than two decades, as the existing bus stand premises were prone to waterlogging even after light rainfall.

The problem persists during heavy rain, although the ground was raised and the terminal complex renovated earlier this year. With the plan for an integrated terminal for both KSRTC and private buses having been dropped a year ago, only KSRTC buses will be permitted into the proposed new terminal, which is expected to come up on 1.90 acres of land.

The project encountered difficulties at the initial stage after the KSRTC opted out of a barter arrangement under which it was to be allotted land of equal value within the Vyttila Mobility Hub (VMH) premises in exchange for handing over the Karikkamuri land to the Vyttila Mobility Hub Society (VMHS).

There was also uncertainty over securing adequate funds for the new terminal until it was decided to rely on government funding.