THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The plan to develop the KSRTC operating centre at Anayara depot into a full-fledged mobility hub is likely to remain a pipe dream as the location has no geographical advantage like Vytilla mobility hub, Kochi. Seven months after its inauguration, Anayara depot is just an operating centre where services begin in the morning and conclude at night.
Presently, the 3.5 acre is an operating centre similar to the one at Enchakkal where JNNURM buses conclude their journey. While it is seen as an investment that could gel with the upcoming development in the area, it cannot do anything to ease the congestion in the city. The original proposals from town planners were to develop Peroorkada and Vikas Bhavan depots to accommodate more inter district buses.
“There are services from MC Road towards Thampanoor which can be halted at Vikas Bhavan. Anayara is not like Vytilla mobility hub as it falls in a corner of our district. Vytilla is well connected to Kottayam, Fort Kochi and NH66 whereas Anayara could be easily accessible from Attingal and Poovar. However there are hardly any city services from here to the city and the situation is unlikely to change for the next three years,” says M. Hysam, an activist and traveller.
KSRTC officials say that there is a shortage of space in Vikas Bhavan depot that can be solved if government allots some land near it. “Land belonging to the Stationery Department and PWD is available here. If this can be utilised to expand the depot, all buses through MC road can end their journey here without going towards Thampanoor,” an official said.
