Makeover of East Fort soon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A serene school compound in Attakulangara has the potential to give a facelift to the busy and congested East Fort, feels the Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority (TRIDA). TRIDA is eyeing the five-and-a-half acre compound of Govt Central High School, Attakulangara, for the development of East Fort. Not more than 150 students study in this school. TRIDA is planning to renovate the school compound in such a way that it could accommodate a bus stand, shopping complex and other facilities. According to R Ajith, chief engineer, TRIDA, the plan has been submitted to the Department of Local Self-Government. “The proposed site will have a bus stand, parking lots, shopping complex, comfort station and other facilities. The bus stand at East Fort will be shifted to this area, bringing a permanent solution to the traffic congestion there. The Central High School too will be renovated so that it can accommodate around 1,000 students. Around one-and-a-half acres of land will be allotted for the school. Nearly 30 cents will be given for the shopping complex,” he said. The proposal has more development plans. It will indirectly remove hurdles of another major development project in the city - the Thakaraparambu flyover. The project, which has been stalled over the issue of rehabilitating around 60 traders, will get a rebirth as TRIDA is planning to rehabilitate these traders to the shopping complex at the proposed site. Thakaraparambu flyover is one of the two flyovers planned under the City Road Improvement Project (CRIP), the other being the Bakery Junction flyover. The bus stand at East Fort is the major reason for the traffic congestion in the area. Indiscriminate parking of buses causing traffic blocks is a common scene at East Fort. With the proposal to shift the bus stand and introduce new facilities, TRIDA is planning a makeover of East Fort. TRIDA and the Department of Local Self-Government have begun discussions on the proposal.