THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Though the 10-floor Thampanoor bus terminus was opened in 2014, a handful of restaurants, bakeries and ATM machines on the ground floor are the only occupants that it could attract so far. The rest of the floors remain unoccupied, though KTDFC officials claim that 50 per cent of the first four floors have been taken away by bidders. They claim that bidders were yet to open shops despite securing space. “If they do not intent to use the commercial space, they will be asked to surrender it,” the official said.
The delays in the construction of Thampanoor shopping complex and its hasty opening before completion in 2014 by the then chief minister Oommen Chandy had created controversies. However, many do not yearn to secure space in what was expected to be one of the most sought- after addresses in the city. The pay and park facility used by bus passengers is the only solace for the officials.
“Around Rs 11,500- Rs 12,000 monthly rent was being paid by eatery units on the ground floor. For those who secured commercial space here, opening the shop was primarily to get the brand more established than to reap profit from day one of occupation,” the official added. The floor space from 5th storey has been earmarked for office space. The KTDFC hopes to fully let them out in a year’s time by roping in government offices in the district that are presently functioning from private rented premises.
