Kerala: KSRTC to build bus station at Enchakkal on DBFOT model

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Enchakkal is set to get the first bus station in the district to be developed by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) model in partnership with Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).
The government has appointed KIIFCON Pvt Ltd, the consultancy wing of KIIFB, as the transaction adviser for conducting feasibility study and connected activities on the locations selected by the KSRTC for developing bus stations.
Initially, bus stations will be developed on DBFOT in Kollam, Kayamkulam, Puthukadu, Ernakulam and Munnar. In addition to these places, Enchakkal, Kannur, Thrissur, Guruvayur and Kottayam have also been chosen for the first phase.
KSRTC managing director Biju Prabhakar had submitted a proposal for setting up KIIFB as the project management unit for the development of the bus stations with private partnership with technical, managerial and financial support of KIIFB.
“We have nearly 7,000 crores worth of land. The Kerala high court has already mentioned ways to convert the land for productive purposes. We are engaging two consultants for viability study and as transaction adviser. The project is expected to upgrade the KSRTC bus stations with all essential facilities like a proper yard, restrooms, locker facilities and She lodges,” said KSRTC MD.
The project aims at commercial development and the investment cost will have to be recouped.
“KSRTC should benefit from this project as we need to bridge a monthly gap of Rs 50-60 crore. Additional revenue from these projects will create surplus in around three years,” said Prabhakar.
The bus terminal complex at Thampanoor was constructed on build, operate transfer (BOT) mode. The project had failed to meet the actual objectives and it had taken a long time before vacant spaces could be rented out for various purposes.
Recently, the project ran into further trouble. Citing lack of clarity regarding the works, the department of transport had declined to give revised administrative sanction for the additional civil works done at the complex, which costs an excess of over Rs 18 crore than the original estimate.
However, the government did not agree with the excess amount citing that the works were undertaken in violation of the conditions.