The newly inaugurated KSRTC bus terminal in Aluva is facing significant commercial setbacks and financial losses due to a prolonged delay in completing a crucial sewage treatment plant (STP). This infrastructural gap has left the state transport corporation unable to rent out commercial spaces, including a canteen, designed to generate revenue.
Construction Stalls, Responsibility Shifts
Originally, the public works department (PWD) began the construction of the STP. However, the work stalled at some point. The PWD later attempted to restart the project by inviting fresh quotations, but this effort did not yield results. Consequently, the responsibility for completing the STP was transferred to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) itself.
KSRTC officials then followed suit by inviting their own quotations to find an agency to finish the job. After a period of inactivity, there is now a glimmer of hope. Officials confirm that a new agency has recently expressed interest in resuming the stalled construction of the sewage treatment plant.
Municipal Hurdles and Power Problems
The incomplete STP has created a domino effect of administrative and utility issues. The Aluva municipality has not issued building numbers for the 12 shops within the terminal complex. This essential step can only be taken once KSRTC submits a completion certificate for the entire facility to the local governing body.
Furthermore, to ensure uninterrupted power supply for future tenants, KSRTC still needs to install a dedicated power transformer. Currently, the terminal is operating on a temporary Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) connection that was originally obtained by the contractor during the terminal's construction phase.
Financial Implications for a Major Project
The combined effect of these delays is a direct hit to the corporation's finances. The terminal, which was constructed at a cost of Rs 8.64 crore after demolishing the old structure, was officially opened in February of last year. Despite being operational for over a year, its potential for generating non-fare revenue remains untapped.
The inability to lease out the commercial spaces means a continuous loss of rental income that was factored into the project's financial model. The resolution now hinges on the new agency swiftly completing the long-overdue sewage treatment plant, which will then allow other pending formalities and installations to proceed.
