Kakkanad: The municipal commercial complex at the heart of Kakkanad has been operating in a dilapidated state without a safety certificate for the past seven years. Established when Thrikkakara was still a panchayat, this was the area’s first commercial complex. Despite its central location and heavy footfall, the building has fallen into serious disrepair. The roof leaks, pillars are rusted, and several sections appear at risk of collapse. Steel rods are exposed in places where concrete has chipped away.

The building has not received a fitness certificate since 2018. It currently houses around 20 shops and stands adjacent to the Kakkanad bus stand and the municipal office complex. The municipality’s Public Works Department flagged the building as a safety hazard years ago and recommended the evacuation of all traders. Although notices were issued, most shopkeepers have ignored them and continue business as usual.

The bus stand–cum–commercial complex was the second major infrastructure project in the area after the collectorate. Its foundation stone was laid in 1978 by then Panchayat Minister K Avukader Kutty Naha. Since then, several commercial complexes have come up both during Thrikkakara’s panchayat era and after its elevation to a municipality. Yet, this first complex and the bus stand remain untouched by any redevelopment.

A proposal to demolish the old structure and build a modern bus terminal–cum–shopping complex has been lying dormant for over a decade. The ambitious plan envisions a smart hub featuring a new municipal headquarters, a modern transport terminal, and a commercial centre.