Trivandrum Central
No, this is not just about shopping malls or multiplexes but about the anticipated transformation of Trivandrum’s busiest and most important urban area: Thampanoor.
Thampanoor is the place where most visitors catch the initial vibes of Trivandrum, and it is imperative to keep Thampanoor modern, neat and in vogue, just as we keep the verandah of our home clean and chic. And that’s what is happening now.
The authorities have green flagged works on the new ultra modern bus terminal for KSRTC in Thampanoor just the other day. The new landmark, integrated terminal complex will rise up in the place of the old modest and not-so-pretty yellow low-rise which has already subsided into exclusive existence on the pages of history. And look what’s going to adorn the landscape.
Open sesame!!
Factfile
Architect: Kumar Group
Floors: 12 (3 shopping + 9 office space)
Area: 3.5 lakh sq.ft
No: of platforms: 4 semicircular concourses
No: of bays: 29
Amenities: Shopping center, office space
Cost: 56 crores
Opening: 2012 (in 24 months)
This will provide a much needed facelift to the heart of the city and hugely improve the passenger amenities. Have a look at the plans of the terminal, which reminds me of the Majestic City Bus Terminal in Bangalore.
The ongoing refurbishment of travel facilities is not just limited to the Bus Stand. As you are aware, Trivandrum Central Railway Station is one among the 16 Railway Terminals selected for elevation to International standards in Phase I. When the project is finished, the current railway station building, the 150 year old charismatic building you see below will be exclusively reserved for the MEMU services. MEMU= Mainline Electric Multiple Units or rather the suburban services on the lines of those in Mumbai, will connect Trivandrum to its suburban areas and neighbouring districts.
The new railway terminal is planned where the second entrance on the Powerhouse Road currently exist. The Coach Maintenance Depot will be shifted to Nemom and the whole area will be utilized for the construction of the mammoth new terminal, on the lines of those in Europe. The new Trivandrum Central Railhead, occupying 1 million sq ft, will have separate floors exclusively catering to arriving and departing trains and will also feature reservation center, hotel, shopping mall and office space.
Trivandrum Central Railway Station image courtesy Panoramio
The 6 laning of Overbridge (MG Road) – Thampanoor Road is almost done and work on feeder roads like Thycaud Road, Manorama Road, Power House Road are well on way. It would be imperative that the ongoing developments are streamlined in such a way that both transportation hubs work as a single unit for the public. As citizens it is our duty and responsibility to engage ourselves in the development works of our city and do make use of this space to shoot in your thoughts.
My 0.02$ would be:
- Creation of an integrated auto-taxi stand catering to both hubs instead of the current haphazard auto parking beside the bus stand.
- Construct a multi-level parking plaza on the Corporation plot near Ponnara Park. This would surely encourage the public to utilize public transport in a more effective way.
- Foot-overbridges to connect the new Central Bus Stand, existing TVC Railway Station and the new proposed station on the Power House Road with the option of extension into a Skywalk connecting various bus terminals of East Fort and major commercial avenues of Chalai, Fort and MG Road.
- Segregation of incoming/outgoing traffic from the Bus Terminal and Railway Station; something on the lines of Bangalore Majestic.
- Creation of a public plaza.
- Ensure the greenery of the area is protected and don’t let the charm of the city succumb to concrete.
In short, picture-perfect times ahead for Thampanoor. 
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Author: scorpiogenius (6 Articles)
scorpio, but far from a genius. XY chromosomal, travel addict, media-holic, big-city maniac, fun loving and absent minded. That's me in a nutshell! :)
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The initiatives look great on paper and all one can hope is that things work the way they are being planned. It’ll be great to come to Trivandrum few years from now and see a sea of changes that would make me failing to recognize the city, but in a good way
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Trivandrum had send a plan in JNNURM relating to pedestrainization of Chalai market. This could fit into that too – A “big enough” terminal on the 2nd entrance might even reach Chalai on one side?
Connecting Thampanoor with Eastfort for pedestrian traffic is important.
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Hi,
I think there is a need to mention here the latest Multi speciality medical College hospital building coming behind the exisitng Trivandrum medical college building. I would suggest to cover a feature on that project.
Regards
KC
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Great!.Looking forward to see the changes of my greenest city.
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hahaa!! In your dream guys!!
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By 2012,if everythng goes according to the plans then Trivandrum could become a city in lines of B’lore & Hyderabad..but more cleaner & greener.
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compared to cochin’s vyttila terminal, its like a hen house. No one will promote trivandrum. don’t expect it from our pooooooooooliticians.
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yes trivandrum central’s developemnt is on the way.The real advantage is even though we are moving ahead ,we still keep the city’s beauty intact not something Kochi is witnessing.
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@rajesh let ot be Hen house compared to so called vyttila terminal, nobady cares here.The development we are witnessing is what we were expecting ,so no issues if u have Lion’s den there
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