Latest news with #SmartCityThiruvananthapuramLtd
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
SCTL seeks central funding for Chalai heritage project
Thiruvananthapuram: The long-dormant Chalai heritage street project is set to advance as Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL) has requested seed funds from the Centre's newly announced Urban Challenge Fund. SCTL, the project's implementing agency, submitted a proposal seeking around Rs 60 crore from the Urban Challenge Fund. SCTL estimates indicate that work on the main street of Chalai will commence within three months of fund approval. The preliminary rounds of discussions have already been completed with the ministry of urban affairs. A senior SCTL official said, "Chalai heritage project is a long-cherished vision. We are now in an advanced stage, and with the support of the tourism and public works departments, we expect to move forward once central funding is approved. This redevelopment will transform Chalai into a vibrant heritage street while boosting local commerce and tourism," he said. The project, initially launched in 2018, was modelled on Kozhikode's SM Street and aimed to convert the historic market into a pedestrian-friendly corridor, complete with umbrella-style canopies, uniform heritage arches, tiled footpaths, underground wiring, LED lighting, Wi-Fi, graffiti related to heritage and landscaped seating areas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Phase I, which includes revamping eight feeder roads leading to the market, is nearing completion. With total road-upgrade costs projected at Rs 30 crore, around Rs 15 crore has already been spent for Phase I. Other phases, including the main arterial street and a proposed multi-level car park on corporation land, remain stalled for lack of capital. Tourism department, which earlier pledged funding along with the PWD, has not yet convened the stakeholders' meeting. The meeting, expected to be chaired by minister P A Mohamed Riyas, will determine the final blueprint and inter-departmental coordination. Merchant groups have expressed frustration at stalled work, poor roads and shrinking footfalls. "We have waited for years to see Chalai get the attention it deserves," said Salim P of the Chalai Traders Association. "If done properly, the project will enhance business and attract more visitors," he added. SCTL expects that once seed funding is approved and tourism-PWD coordination is finalised, infrastructure upgrades, including pedestrian corridors, drainage, signage and heritage enhancements, will progress rapidly. SCTL is also advancing other initiatives, including Palayam-Ayyankali Hall nightlife stretch and Connemara Market redevelopment, but has faced delays due to cost escalation and community opposition. At Connemara Market, around 90% of traders have been evicted while the nightlife corridor between Palayam and Ayyankali Hall is scheduled to open in Aug.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Unscientific' vending zone on RKV Rd set for redesign
T'puram: A week after city corporation officials inspected the smart vending zone on RKV Road near Museum, major design flaws have come to light. As a result, plans are underway to demolish half of the 12 newly constructed kiosks, which lie vacant in front of 22 existing shops. The vending zone, built in 2022 under the Smart City project to rehabilitate street vendors along the Museum stretch, has largely failed to serve its purpose. Of the 22 shops, only seven—mainly tea stalls—remain operational. Vendors blame the poor turnout on the 12-module kiosk block, which obstructs visibility from the road. "Business is too low. I can't make ends meet," said Unni, a tea shop owner in the area for over 26 years. "The zone was built unscientifically. Rainwater leaks in constantly, so we've had to use tarpaulin sheets above the kiosks," he added. Vimalakumari, who commutes daily from Pravachambalam, said, "Many vendors have stopped opening their shops. We're not paying rent to the corporation because we're barely making any sales." Ramachandran, who has run a shop there for two decades, echoed similar concerns. "Business was much better before this so-called smart zone was built. Now, police restrict tourist vehicles on this road and the new kiosks block our visibility. We need an urgent solution to sustain our livelihood." Sources said the civic body now plans to demolish six of the 12 vacant kiosks and build new structures on the opposite side of the road to restore visibility and improve footfall. Vendors have also demanded relocation. The current structure has multiple design flaws, including poor-quality roofing, gaps that cause rainwater leakage, PVC shutters instead of iron ones and cramped interiors. Vendors have widely described the zone as "unscientific" and unsuitable for business. A Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL) official said that discussions are ongoing to address the concerns but confirmed that no formal decision has been made. "We are not yet aware of the corporation's plans," the official added. The vending zone, inaugurated in April 2022 as part of a Rs 3-crore Smart City project, was designed to host up to 46 vendors across 34 modules. However, due to poor planning and low customer turnout, only a handful are currently functioning. A 2023 SCTL proposal to redesign the zone and procure mobile vending units also stalled without updates. Corporation officials now say redesign efforts have begun, incorporating vendor feedback on roofing, visibility and drainage. Demolition estimates are being prepared, and funding for the new structure is under consideration.
New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Illegal parking near Thiruvananthapuram Museum police station poses headache to public
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rampant illegal parking in front of the Museum police station and the Sooryakanthi Road stretch and encroachment by vendors are posing a major headache for residents and commuters alike. Repeated complaints to remove the encroachments have failed to elicit any action from either the city corporation or the police. Making matters worse, vehicles impounded by the Museum police are also parked around the station premises, adding to people's inconvenience. Even recently, the residents approached the Museum police station house officer seeking necessary action to prevent unauthorised parking. 'Unauthorised parking is rampant along the main road from the Museum to Kanakakunnu and Sooryakanthi Festival Ground, as well as on internal roads connecting Vellayambalam, Kowdiar and Nandavanam. It is alarming that such blatant violations are happening right in front of the police station,' said Sanjeev S J, an activist who had filed a complaint against the issue with the Museum police. There are around two major apartment complexes and around 450 houses in the region that are badly affected by the parking crisis. T K Faisal, secretary of the Kanakakunnu Residents Association, said elderly people in these areas are unable to use pathways or walk through the street safely due to haphazard parking and illegal vending. 'We have raised numerous complaints for urgent action. However, no steps have been taken till date. The bye-road has shrunk in width significantly due to the project implemented by Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd,' Faisal said. 'Hundreds of families live in the region. During a crisis, emergency vehicles cannot enter residential areas through these roads because of the illegal parking,' he said. As Onam season approaches, residents fear the situation will worsen. The public events at nearby venues like Nishagandhi auditorium and Sooryakanthi ground attract thousands during festival season. Palayam ward councillor Palayam Rajan said steps will be taken to address the issue. 'We will take up the matter in the next traffic advisory committee meeting. If required, a traffic warden will be deployed to manage parking,' he said.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Contractor considers exiting from project amid delay
T'puram: RDS Projects Ltd, the contractor for Palayam Connemara Market redevelopment, plans to withdraw from the Rs 55-crore contract signed in 2020, citing prolonged delays in work initiation due to slow demolition of existing structures. The contractor reportedly informed the civic body that the cost of the project has escalated due to the delay in starting it. Official sources report that 70% of old buildings have been demolished, with many traders relocated to a temporary prefabricated structure behind the market. The facility comprises three steel blocks designed for 460 vendors, including fish-and-meat stall owners. However, some vendors still await electricity connections and claim inadequate arrangements. Corporation Secretary Jahamgeer S stated that discussions with the contractor continue, expressing hope they won't withdraw. He assured that all vendors would be relocated within a week, with renovation beginning this financial year. Despite these assurances, disputes persist. In June, police and civic officials forcibly evicted vendors and demolished about 25 shops, allegedly violating court orders and safety protocols. RDS Projects has notified Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd and the city corporation of its intention to withdraw due to demolition and relocation delays. Stakeholders worry that the contractor's withdrawal could further stall the historic market's redevelopment and necessitate retendering. The new complex is planned as a four-storey structure with modern facilities, preserving the market's main heritage gate. Local councillors and merchant associations are pushing for immediate resolution, with the corporation committing to a board meeting with smart city officials and the contractor.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
City to get 2nd nightlife hub after Manaveeyam Veedhi
Thiruvananthapuram: The vibrant stretch between Palayam and Mahatma Ayyankali Hall is all set to be transformed into a premier nightlife hub, as part of the Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL) initiative. The infrastructure upgrade, valued at approximately Rs 2 crore, is scheduled to begin in Aug, by adding parklets, smart lighting, accessibility features and cultural spaces. The project includes interactive lighting installations designed to create a dynamic evening ambience while parklets will provide greenery and seating. Accessibility was a priority, with ramps, tactile indicators and signage ensuring an inclusive experience. "The work has reached the final stage and we can open in Aug itself. In addition to basic amenities, we integrated disability-friendly features at every stage," said a senior SCTL official. "By combining parklets, smart lights and performance spaces, we aim to make this stretch a cultural heartbeat after sundown," he said. The smart amenities include EV charging stations, modern public toilets and automated vending kiosks. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Вот что поза во сне говорит о вашем характере! Удивительные Новости Undo LED interactive floor tiles, bicycle points, bollard lighting, planter boxes, wheelchair-accessible provisions, cobblestone flooring with casual seating, signage and landscaping works are also included. Utility cables were rerouted underground to avoid the common visual clutter seen commonly across older urban corridors and to create a clean skyline. Roads were relaid and energy-efficient LED street lamps were installed for safer nights. A new performance stage and open-air area will host music, street theatre and community events, blending tradition with modern urban beat. The Palayam-Ayyankali road is already being recognised as the city's second "nightlife hotspot" after Manaveeyam Veedhi. These upgrades echo a larger push by SCTL: Renovating 24 key stretches across the city with smart road infrastructure. These include dedicated pedestrian walkways, cycling lanes, underground utility ducts and modern drainage — parts of which were highlighted during the chief minister's inauguration of the smart roads project last month. SCTL officials said the Palayam-Ayyankali hub exemplifies the city's charm of retaining cultural richness while embracing modern amenity standards.
