Capital city's touted multimodal mobility hub project stalled

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The much-hyped capital's first multi-mobility hub project has stalled. Talks are also spreading about officials planning to abandon the project. There were initial discussions regarding land acquisition for the project, but no action was taken thereafter. Although it was said that the municipality would seek expert opinions, nothing happened.

The master plan also proposes that if development projects are not implemented within 5 years, the land should be returned to the owners. The multi-modal mobility plan was announced in the municipality's master plan up to 2040. Last year, the recommendation in the master plan to develop a modal mobility hub was approved by the municipal council. Anayara was chosen as the location for the hub.

The Multi Mobility Hub is an integrated public transport system incorporating modern modes of transport to facilitate transportation in the capital. The hub will include National Highway 66, Trivandrum North Terminal, National Waterways, Trivandrum Metro, and the airport.

In the master plan till 2040, Anayara was listed as a special development area with 106 acres selected for the hub. Currently, there is land for KSRTC in the area. There is also an announcement that the initial phase of the metro rail project in the capital will begin in 2026. KMRL has submitted three alignments to the government. But the government has not yet been able to finalise the alignment. There are also concerns about the alignment of the metro.