Education Department to ‘pass’ TRIDA project

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More than six months have passed since TRIDA submitted an ambitious report for the renovation of East Fort. However, the project is still on paper as the Education Department is reluctant to hand over the land belonging to the Government Central High School, Attakulangara, where the proposed bus stand-cum-shopping complex is to come up.
 The TRIDA project could not only renovate East Fort, but also help in the development of the Thakaraparambu flyover. The shopping complex planned in the area is also meant to accommodate traders who will be displaced for the flyover work. The work of the flyover was stuck for years over the issue of rehabilitation of these traders.
 Though the work of the flyover has begun,  confusion prevails over the permanent rehabilitation of traders.
Renovation of East Fort is crucial, especially at the time when the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple has received worldwide attention.
 The Government Central High School, where  barely 150 students study, is located on around five-and-a-half acres of land. According to the TRIDA plan, the proposed site will have a bus stand, parking lots, shopping complex, comfort station and other facilities. The bus stand at East Fort will be shifted to this area, bringing a permanent solution to the traffic congestion in East Fort. The Central High School too will be renovated so that it can accommodate around 1,000 students.
Around one-and-a-half acres of land will be allotted to the school. Around 30 cents will be given for the shopping complex. The entry portion of the bus terminal will be near the Sree Padmanabha theatre and exit on the Attakulanagara side.
According to sources in TRIDA, the Education Department is reluctant to hand over the land. However, Urban Affairs Minister P K Kunhalikutty and Transport Minister V S Sivakumar have shown interest in the project. A consensus will be formed on the issue before presenting the project before the Cabinet. TRIDA had submitted the project to the Local Self-Government Department around six months ago.
Meanwhile, TRIDA is constructing temporary sheds for traders on Power House Road who need to be rehabilitated for the Thakaraparambu flyover. TRIDA also has a plan to renovate the Chalai market.