17-05-2025
High rentals deter small businesses away from Trida's new building
Thiruvananthapuram: Once envisioned as a bustling hub to decongest the state capital's traditional markets,
's (Trida) 'Soubhagya' commercial complex has turned into a silent symbol of missed opportunities and poor execution.
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Built at a cost of Rs 15 crore and completed in 2021, the building now stands deserted and deteriorating.
Many small-scale traders and business owners have blamed unaffordable rent rates for the building's vacancy. "I was genuinely interested in opening a boutique there," said Renjith Balasubramaniam, a business owner from Karamana. "But the monthly rent was nearly double what I pay in the heart of the city. It didn't make financial sense," he said.
Shihab M, who runs a mobile accessories chain, shared a similar experience. "We completed preliminary paperwork but backed out after seeing the final rental terms. Trida seems out of touch with market realities, especially after Covid-19. Businesses are still recovering," he said.
Today, the building lies abandoned, a haven for reptiles and a hideout for anti-social elements, according to local residents.
Trida chairman K C Vikraman acknowledged the concerns.
"The top floor has yet to receive city corporation's permit, and that has impacted occupancy. But some shops have been rented out. Once we get the necessary permissions, we will take steps to operationalise the complex," he said. However, he didn't provide any explanation for the three-year delay in making the building functional.
Meanwhile, a senior city corporation official offered a different version. "We haven't received any applications from Trida for occupancy permits.
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If they submit one, we will consider it," said the official, indicating a possible communication gap or procedural lapse.
Adding to the woes, plans to utilise the remaining land for truck parking also remain unrealised, further diminishing the project's utility.
Spread across 5.5 acres at Erumakuzhy along Killipalam-Attakulangara road, the Soubhagya complex was designed to accommodate around 60 shops and offices. Its primary goal was to shift part of the
away from the overcrowded Chalai market, in line with the city's 1971 master plan.
However, despite its strategic intent and modern infrastructure, the complex completely failed to attract tenants.
Prior to Soubhagya's construction, the land was used as a dumping ground. City corporation cleared the waste and encouraged Trida to utilise the space productively. Inspired by the Kedaram and Saphalyam complexes, Trida went ahead with the Soubhagya model, but execution has lagged far behind expectations. Corporation has set up a lush garden 'Sanmathi Udyanam' close to the building.
Earlier, department of fire and rescue services had identified Soubhagya's land for setting up a mini fire station. However, it didn't materialise.
