Despite funds, bus terminal project remains a non-starter

Though the Tripunithura Municipality has been earmarking funds   to construct a bus terminal here in its annual budget for the last 25 years,  the project still remains on paper.

Municipality sources told ‘City Express’ that despite the repeated fund allotment, the municipality has not even started land acquisition for the project. 

“The proposed bus stand is coming up on the 12.5 acres of land. The land has  over 25 owners. Despite the fund allocation, the municipality has not even conducted a meeting with the land owners to start the land acquisition procedures,” they said.   The sources added that in the last year’s budget, the authorities had promised to collect `50 crore through debenture to implement the project. They had also offered shares to landowners who submit their land. “Though the offer gave the project a new life, the municipality continued with its lethargic attitude,” they added.

According to the sources, the land acquisition has became a difficult task    as the owners are trying to sell their land. “The land value is on a rise at Tripunithura. The owners believe that selling their land will fetch them more money. This is hindering the land acquisition process. We are afraid that the project will never take off,” they said.

Meanwhile, the residents at Tripunithura seek a speedy implementation of the project.

“The proposed bus terminal will connect SN Junction with a four-lane road that goes parallel to the railway track. The proposed bus stand will be a great relief to rail passengers who otherwise have to commute a long distance to reach the main bus stand. A huge number of passengers are depending on the Railway Dtation. This stresses on the need for a bus stand near the Railway station,” said Tripunithura Rajanagari Union of Residents Association  member V P Prasad. 

However, Tripunithura municipal chairman R Venugopal said the bus terminal  project will be implemented soon. “We will acquire the land for the bus terminal and more funds will be allocated in this years budget. Meetings will be arranged with the land owners to solve the acquisition issues,” he said.

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