Seven years of neglect: Thrissur KSRTC bus stand remains in ruin amid unfulfilled promises

THRISSUR: Seven years after the submission of the much-anticipated master plan for the redevelopment of the Thrissur KSRTC bus stand, the project has seen little to no progress. The once-hopeful plan now seems to be drastically altered or forgotten altogether. Buses and passengers continue to navigate puddles and potholes, with no tangible efforts in sight to address the long-standing issues. Despite land acquisition challenges and financial constraints being cited as major obstacles, authorities have shown little initiative in resolving the situation.

The bus stand, which handles over a thousand buses and thousands of passengers daily, suffers from limited space and dilapidated infrastructure, posing significant safety risks. The situation has worsened with the increase in buses and passengers during the recent Onam festival. While the rains this season have been less intense, the neglected condition of the bus stand continues to be a major concern. Projects initiated during the first Pinarayi government remain confined to official files, despite initial support from the government.

The COVID-19 pandemic and KSRTC's apparent negligence contributed to the project's abandonment. Despite multiple visits from KSRTC's MD and senior officials, and assurances that neither financial nor land availability issues would hinder the development, nothing has materialized. All promises have seemingly evaporated, leaving passengers and buses in disarray.

One of the major aspects of the master plan was to connect the bus stand with the Thrissur Railway Station, providing seamless travel for passengers. There were discussions about allocating funds from the MLA fund and collaboration with the railways was also explored. However, these discussions never saw any follow-up, and the plan remains stagnant. A proposal to divert non-state buses to Shaktan Nagar was also floated, with a temporary bus stand planned for Shaktan once the redevelopment began. This proposal has also remained on paper, despite the influx of buses from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Due to space limitations at the bus stand, many buses are often unavailable, leading to traffic congestion, particularly for multi-axle Volvo buses. The stand becomes especially crowded during the night and early morning hours, compounding the challenges for commuters and operators.

Currently, the Thrissur KSRTC stand handles approximately 1,200 buses daily, with 61 buses stationed at the depot. However, the space crunch is aggravated by the installation of an Indian Oil Corporation petrol pump on the premises, which has further restricted the movement of buses. The closure of the south gate for fuel pumping has made it difficult for buses to enter the stand. Moreover, the depot lacks sufficient facilities to accommodate buses, and the office building is in a state of disrepair, filled with stacks of paperwork, bags and garbage. Desks are filthy, walls leak, and the concrete roof is crumbling, creating an unsafe and unhygienic environment.