Technical Sanction Granted for ₹13-Crore First Phase of KSRTC Karikkamury Terminal in Kochi

The Kerala government has granted technical sanction to the Public Works Department (PWD) to execute the first phase of the proposed Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus terminal at Karikkamury, located near the existing bus stand in Kochi. The approval moves the long-pending infrastructure project forward, with the initial phase estimated at ₹13 crore.

What Happened

According to an official connected to the initiative, the grant of technical sanction clears the path for the PWD to float tenders for construction work in early September. A senior KSRTC official indicated that once the contract is awarded, construction of the first phase is anticipated to take approximately one year to complete.

Under the finalized plan, the initial phase will consist of a single-storey structure equipped with dedicated bus bays. Structural provisions will be incorporated into the design to facilitate vertical expansion at a later stage. The facility will be constructed on 2.90 acres of KSRTC-owned land. In a departure from earlier proposals for an integrated terminal, private buses will not be allowed to enter the new Karikkamury facility.

Key Highlights

• Project Outlay: The first phase carries an estimated cost of ₹13 crore under the Public Works Department.
• Tendering Schedule: PWD is scheduled to invite bids in early September, with an estimated execution timeline of approximately 12 months after the contract is awarded.
• Design Specifications: The initial structure will be single-storey with dedicated bays and design provisions for future vertical growth.
• Exclusivity: Built on 2.90 acres of KSRTC land, the facility will be used exclusively by KSRTC, dropping an earlier plan to share space with private buses.
• Historical Context: Demands for a replacement terminal have persisted for more than twenty years due to recurrent waterlogging at the existing premises during heavy monsoon showers, despite ground elevation and renovation work earlier this year.

Why This Matters

The development addresses a persistent infrastructure issue in Kochi’s public transport network. The existing bus stand premises have been plagued by recurrent waterlogging during heavy downpours for over two decades. Although the ground was raised and renovation work was carried out earlier this year, waterlogging risks have continued to affect the site.

The project previously encountered multiple setbacks. Factors contributing to past delays included an earlier proposal to swap a section of KSRTC land at Karikkamury for land at the Vyttila Mobility Hub, which KSRTC opposed because of high construction costs on slushy soil. Other hurdles included disagreements regarding operating an integrated terminal alongside private buses, as well as an unsuccessful proposal to secure ₹12 crore from Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML).

Hibi Eden, Member of Parliament, welcomed the clearance and urged rapid, professional execution. Recalling that an earlier garage constructed on the premises under a ₹2-crore MLA fund developed cracks before inauguration and had to be demolished, Eden emphasized that careful engineering is critical to prevent waterlogging and ensure structural stability. He also called for the optimal utilization of the existing terminal land, including replacing the old building if necessary.

What to Watch Next

The PWD is set to formally issue construction tenders in early September. Following the bidding and contract award process, civil works are slated to commence, targeting completion within an estimated one-year timeframe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the approved budget for the Karikkamury KSRTC terminal’s first phase?

The first phase of the terminal project has received technical sanction with an estimated outlay of ₹13 crore.

Will private buses operate from the new Karikkamury terminal?

No. While an earlier proposal considered an integrated terminal where both KSRTC and private operators would share space, the current plan restricts the 2.90-acre terminal strictly to KSRTC services.

When is construction expected to start and conclude?

Tenders are expected to be invited by the PWD in early September. Once awarded, the construction of the first phase is slated to take roughly one year.

Source: Reported based on coverage by The Hindu.