In a long-awaited development for commuters in Kochi, the Public Works Department (PWD) has officially initiated the construction process for the new Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus terminal at Karikkamuri. The department has invited tenders for the first phase of the project, which is estimated to cost ₹9.85 crore. The initial phase will see the construction of a modern steel-structure terminal featuring a ground floor area of 465.5 square metres and a sprawling roof area of 1,283 square metres, keeping future expansion possibilities in mind.

The state government had earlier granted administrative sanction of ₹13 crore in February 2024 for the first phase of the redevelopment. The newly invited tenders cover crucial civil, electrical, and electronics works, with a strict timeline set to complete the project within 18 months.

State-of-the-art facilities
The proposed terminal will be a two-storey structure. Apart from the main station building, the project encompasses covered bus bays, dedicated entry and exit points to streamline traffic, and a robust drainage system to prevent waterlogging. Safety and passenger convenience will also get a boost with the installation of CCTV surveillance systems and a modern public address system. The new facility is being built on 3.46 acres of land owned by KSRTC in Karikkamuri.

A relief from persistent issues
Historically, the Ernakulam KSRTC bus stand has been criticised as one of the worst-maintained transit hubs in Kerala. Severe waterlogging during heavy rains has consistently plagued the low-lying station, causing immense distress to passengers and staff alike. While recent renovation works funded by MLA TJ Vinod and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives managed to patch up some of the issues, a permanent solution was sorely needed.

Initially, Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML) had plans to fund the redevelopment with an allocation of ₹12 crore. However, after that proposal failed to take off, the state government decided to take direct control of the project, bringing relief to the city’s daily commuters.