Rs 90-crore project to develop Chalai market

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In what could prove a major breakthrough for the development of Chalai, the Thiruvananathapuram Development Authority (TRIDA) has proposed a Rs 90-crore project at the commercial centre of the city.
 The State Government has sanctioned the detailed Town Planning Scheme for Chalai area, which includes a commercial complex and link roads. Around 6 acres of land belonging to TRIDA will be utilised for the project.
 TRIDA is planning to construct two roads parallel to the Chalai Road. These roads will ease the traffic congestion to a considerable extent. The project also envisages construction of a world-class commercial complex of an area of 22,500 square metres and vegetable markets & rehabilitation blocks of an area of 3,000 square metres.

 The total estimated cost of the commercial complex is ` 75 crore and that of the vegetable market and rehabilitation block is ` 10 crore. The internal roads and parking spaces are estimated to cost ` 5 crore.
 The project has been submitted to Urban Affairs Minister P K Kunhalikutty.
 Transport Minister and local MLA V S Sivakumar said that he would soon convene a meeting of officials to speed up the project.
 “We will do the needful for the speedy completion of the project. I spoke to Minister Kunhalikutty on the project. He too will attend the meeting,” the Minister added.
 TRIDA Chief Engineer R Ajith said that, “the two proposed roads through TRIDA’s land will link the existing Chalai market and the Attakulangara-Killipalam Bypass Road. This will decongest the traffic in the Chalai market area to a large extent.”
 The city’s master plan has envisaged the development of Chalai as the District Shopping Centre. The TRIDA project has all the ingredients for the development of this commercial centre. Roads, parking space, world class commercial complex, rehabilitation blocks, flower and vegetable blocks are all part of the project. Around 20 traders who will be displaced for the project will be accommodated at the rehabilitation block.
 “TRIDA is in possession of 6.13 acres of land at Chalai. The project will cover around 7.16 acres. Land acquisition won’t be a problem since we have 85 per cent of land,” Ajith said.
 “It would take three years to complete the works,” he added.