KSRTC plans spiritual tourism hub in Thiruvananthapuram's Enchakkal: Details
According to the KSRTC, Enchakkal's proximity to the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, combined with seasonal demand at Sabarimala, will ensure a steady flow of tourists to the facility.
According to the KSRTC, Enchakkal's proximity to the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, combined with seasonal demand at Sabarimala, will ensure a steady flow of tourists to the facility.
According to the KSRTC, Enchakkal's proximity to the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, combined with seasonal demand at Sabarimala, will ensure a steady flow of tourists to the facility.
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is planning to set up a spiritual tourism hub in Thiruvananthapuram's Enchakkal. A few days ago, KSRTC issued a proposal inviting companies to develop and operate the facility at Enchakkal's KSRTC bus depot. They are looking for companies to design, finance, build and operate the project for 30 years, before transferring it to KSRTC. Enchakkal, just about 2 km from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, is also well connected by train and road. The corporation is looking at a total construction period of two years after the appointed date.
What will be built in Enchakkal
KSRTC's 3.4 acres of land at the depot is to be used for the facility. The project aims to build a hotel with a minimum of 200 rooms for pilgrims targeting mid-range and budget travellers in the style of Yatri Nivas. It is expected to have traditional Kerala architecture, pure vegetarian restaurants with sattvic menu options, a parking hub, shuttle bus terminus, seasonal necessities, EV charging hubs, Ayurvedic wellness centres, retail shops for handicrafts, pooja items, books, food courts or kiosks, a dormitory for groups, tourism information centres, a small amphitheatre for cultural programmes and more.
Pilgrims who benefit
According to the KSRTC, Enchakkal's proximity to the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, combined with seasonal demand at Sabarimala, will ensure a steady flow of tourists to the facility. Apparently, more than 10,000 pilgrims visit the temple on normal days and double the number during festival time. However, the temple premises experience severe traffic congestion, safety problems, difficulty for elderly pilgrims, stress on local residents and unorganised parking.
The Enchakkal Spiritual Tourism Facility Centre should be able to address these challenges, according to KSRTC. Also, during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season, thousands of Sabarimala pilgrims transit through Thiruvananthapuram and KSRTC operates Nilakkal feeder services that experience high usage. Apparently, pilgrims often seek sanitation, rest, and refreshment facilities, and the new hub can serve as a regional transit hub for pilgrims.