KOZHIKODE: Even after nine years of launching the project, Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation (KTDFC) which completed the construction of KSRTC bus terminal complex, is yet to lease out the building, causing huge financial loss to KSRTC. The tender proceedings are caught in legal wrangles. The incomplete facilities have led the public and KSRTC employees blame the authorities. The building complex with a 2,18,716.23 sq ft commercial space is located at the heart of the city. The bid for the lease was won by MAK Associates, a Mukkam-based firm which was ready to remit an amount of Rs 50 crore as non-refundable deposit for a period of thirty years.
The firm was also ready to pay an amount of Rs 50 lakh as rent. However, citing lack of clarity in the procedures, another participant of the bid approached HC. The Fire and safety officials recently examined the building and expressed displeasure over the violation of various safety parameters. Some repair works and structural changes are suggested before license can be granted. A KSRTC official who preferred anonymity told DC that KSRTC incurred huge losses as it lost the revenue since 2009. "Moreover, our employees have lost facilities to stay during night and we get a comparatively reduced space for garage and parking," he added.
"We hope that we would be getting the administrative office facility once the construction work and leasing procedure are completed", he said. The corporation is yet to issue building number to the terminal complex citing technical issues. Earlier they had cited the lack of fire and safety clearance for not granting the building number. Now even after the fire and safety clearance is obtained, the corporation is yet to provide the building number. KSRTC Kozhikode zonal officer V. Manoj Kumar told DC that the corporation gets minimum facilities to operate in the building complex. "Though there were many efforts in the past to speed up the lease procedures, it is yet to deliver any results", he added.
