Jisha Surya
February 06, 2014
Thiruvananthapuram: Pressure is mounting against the Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority (Trida) to drop its proposed bus terminal-cum-shopping complex project at the premises of Government Central School, Attakulangara.
However, Trida is not ready to give in. As the chief protest is against felling of trees at the site, the authority has roped in environmentalists to sort the issue. Upon Trida’s request, architect R Shankar is preparing a design for the project, which ensures minimum felling of trees. Shankar said his tentative design requires felling only 6 trees instead of 47 to accommodate the bus terminal and shopping complex in the two acre space.
Shankar said he inspected the site recently. “Over 40 trees will be affected by the project. However, we have to consider other factors as well. The project will help resolve the traffic congestion caused by the bus stand at East Fort. Earlier, bus terminal projects had been proposed at Muttathara and Eanchakkal, but nothing materialized,” he said.
According to Shankar, the project has several benefits. “By rehabilitating traders, the heritage wall from Pazhavangadi to East Fort can be protected and the area could be beautified with proper landscaping. Rehabilitation of traders for Thakarapparambu flyover has also been planned at the site,” he said. “I heard there have been suggestions to develop the site as a biodiversity park. If so, how many people will visit the place,” he asked. He said the case calls for a give-and-take approach.
When asked whether the new plan will lead to changes in the original requirement, Shankar said the complex will have over 100 shops and the bus terminal could accommodate nearly 25 buses. “According to the initial plan, around 47 trees needed to be axed. With the new design, we will lose only 6 trees,” he said.
Trida chairman P K Venugopal said they will conduct a meeting with Shankar within a week to discuss the design.
Meanwhile, various organizations and parties such as the Aam Admi Party (AAP) are up in arms against the project. The Kerala Historical Research Institute had even asked the governor that the land be handed over to them to develop a campus.
February 06, 2014
Thiruvananthapuram: Pressure is mounting against the Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority (Trida) to drop its proposed bus terminal-cum-shopping complex project at the premises of Government Central School, Attakulangara.
However, Trida is not ready to give in. As the chief protest is against felling of trees at the site, the authority has roped in environmentalists to sort the issue. Upon Trida’s request, architect R Shankar is preparing a design for the project, which ensures minimum felling of trees. Shankar said his tentative design requires felling only 6 trees instead of 47 to accommodate the bus terminal and shopping complex in the two acre space.
Shankar said he inspected the site recently. “Over 40 trees will be affected by the project. However, we have to consider other factors as well. The project will help resolve the traffic congestion caused by the bus stand at East Fort. Earlier, bus terminal projects had been proposed at Muttathara and Eanchakkal, but nothing materialized,” he said.
According to Shankar, the project has several benefits. “By rehabilitating traders, the heritage wall from Pazhavangadi to East Fort can be protected and the area could be beautified with proper landscaping. Rehabilitation of traders for Thakarapparambu flyover has also been planned at the site,” he said. “I heard there have been suggestions to develop the site as a biodiversity park. If so, how many people will visit the place,” he asked. He said the case calls for a give-and-take approach.
When asked whether the new plan will lead to changes in the original requirement, Shankar said the complex will have over 100 shops and the bus terminal could accommodate nearly 25 buses. “According to the initial plan, around 47 trees needed to be axed. With the new design, we will lose only 6 trees,” he said.
Trida chairman P K Venugopal said they will conduct a meeting with Shankar within a week to discuss the design.
Meanwhile, various organizations and parties such as the Aam Admi Party (AAP) are up in arms against the project. The Kerala Historical Research Institute had even asked the governor that the land be handed over to them to develop a campus.
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