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.