After many hiccups, the inauguration of the bus terminal-cum-shopping complex of the Kerala Road Transport Corporation here, is likely to be held by the end of January. The work has received a boost as the state cabinet on Wednesday decided to regularise the violations of building rules for the speedy completion of the work of the terminal.
Though 99 per cent work of the KSRTC bus terminal-cum-shopping complex has already been completed, the delay in getting building permit for the complex has been delaying the inauguration of the complex. The complex could not get building permit as the chief town planning officer denied permission, citing violation of the guidelines of the Kerala Municipal Building Rules.
“As the cabinet has decided to regularise the violations, we expect that the remaining works could be completed at the earliest,” said minister for local self government M K Muneer. Only the work of escalators and lifts are remaining and the work could be completed immediately after getting building permit, he said.
Earlier, the city corporation had approached the local self government department seeking its intervention to regularise the violations. The delay in getting building permit has also been delaying the electrification work as the complex did not get electricity connection without the permit.
The work of the bus terminal started in March 2009 and as per the project, the work was to be completed in two years and according to the earlier plan, the work of the building was to be completed by March 2011. However, the government postponed the date of opening thrice owing to various reasons.
The work of the building is being carried out by the Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation (KTDFC). The bus terminal-cum-shopping complex, is claimed to be the largest in the state and has an area of 36,000 square metres, spread across 13 storeyed twin towers. Each tower has two underground storeys.
Of the total area, 6,000 square metre will be used for parking buses and for operating KSRTC’s offices, while the remaining space will be rented out for commercial purposes.
The KSRTC terminal will have an air-conditioned passenger’s waiting room, surveillance camera system, and a well maintained toilet block. Vehicles reaching the commercial complex can park at the underground parking area where over 200 cars and 250 two wheelers can park at a time.
“Painting and other works have already been finished and the remaining works are expected to be completed in two to three weeks,” said the minister.
There was a delay in getting the building permit for the complex as the chief town planning officer denied permission, citing violation of the guidelines of the Kerala Municipal Building Rules.
News: Times of India
