New KSRTC Bus Terminal To Construct At Enchakkal

Thiruvananthapuram: The state cabinet has decided to construct a new KSRTC Bus terminal - cum - shopping complex at Enchakkal, Thiruvananthapuram. Estimated cost is at round 35 crores and the construction would be on BOT basis.

The basement and the ground floor would be used for parking the buses while the first and second floor would be use for commercial purpose. The construction will be done using the plan fund on BOT basis.

Location of Thampanoor and Enchakkal bus terminal

The total estimate of the first phase of the construction of the basement and ground floors is Rs 22 crore. The first phase of the construction will use the Rs 6.82 crore to be given by the Local Self-Government Department and Rs 8 crore from the expected Plan fund of the KSRTC for the year 2010-11. The rest of the amount of Rs 8 crore would be spent from the expected Plan fund of the KSRTC for the year 2011-12.

The construction of the first phase would complete in two years. The second phase construction of first and second phase would be constructed on BOT basis.

With the completion of the first phase, long-distance buses would be operated from the Enchakkal terminal. This would help in reducing the traffic congestion in the city, said the transport minister, Jose Thettayil.

Thampanoor Central Bus Station (CBS), located opposite to the Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station, caters to about 1240 bus arrivals and 1250 departures daily out of which 45% trips account for long distance buses and 55% for the Moffusil buses (short distance within Thiruvananthapuram district). CBS terminal is proposed to be upgraded in infrastructural facilities, additional platforms, bus bays and bus passenger facilities. It is also proposed to shift the long distance buses (within districts of Kerala and inter state buses) to Enchakkal. The Enchakkal Bus Terminal is a green field project proposed to be equipped with bus infrastructure and passenger facilities.

Enchakkal Bus Terminal (EBT), a new proposed site having an area of 5.82 acres for development of long distances buses, is located next to Kazhakkuttom – Kovalam NH Bypass to NH-47. It is located in western part of the city near Airport and is about 4 kms from Thampanoor CBS. Presently, land acquisition for the EBT is underway.