ate ring roads, and radial roads. It would also consist of junction improvement programmes, parking facilities, transport terminals, flyovers and cycle tracks. Improving rail travel facilities is another proposal. Running commuter trains between Kollam and Parassala, and establishing a rail link to Vizhinjam and a rail link to Thenmala via Nedumangad come under this proposal. The Mono Rail project from Technocity to Neyyatinkara through the heart of the city is envisioned to be commissioned by January 2018. As an alternative mode of travel, inland transport network from Kovalam to Karamana and from Akkulam to Kadinamkulam Kayal is visualised. The requirement of connectivity to Thiruvananthapuram Airport is focused upon.
A Multi Modal Mobility hub is suggested in Akkulam to cater to the requirement of mode change facilities within the city and in the airport. Sidewalks, walkways, marked crossways, and overpasses and underpasses are considered to separate pedestrian movement from vehicular traffic. The master plan also suggests checking the feasibility of Light Rail Transit System with two circling routes covering the central city area.
Relocation of the Central Jail to Chenkottukonam and maintaining the current Poojappura Jail as a heritage structure, and shifting Regional Cancer Centre and Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology to Chenkottukonam are also suggested. City centres are envisaged at Kazhakkoottam and Vizhinjam. Various civic amenity proposals are included in the master plan. This includes setting up community halls, libraries, electric crematoriums, fire stations, etc. The master plan also attends to the housing shortage in the city and development of slum areas. Disposal of solid waste being a major hardship in the city, adequate attention is paid to this section in the master plan. Launching of awareness programmes, processing of biodegradable waste at source-level, establishment of city-level storage facility for nonbiodegradable wastes has been proposed. Recycling of waste is also considered. Seven parks are suggested in the master plan in an attempt to enrich the greenery of the city. Preservation of wetlands and sacred groves and protection of coastal areas are stated in the master plan. The Vision 2031 Master Plan is prepared by Chief Town Planner Eapen Varughese and the planning team lead by Additional Chief Town Planner Jacob Easow, Town Planner S. Ajay kumar, and Town Planner Baiju K.
The draft‘ Maste Plan’ for Thiruvananthapuram city stresses on various development activities to be carried out over the coming 20 years. The plan which cuts into various aspects of development such as transportation, traffic, land use, waste management, infrastructure readiness, etc. is currently being analysed in detail by different sections of the society. Hopefully, in the years to come, we would see many of the proposals being implemented. Being a magazine which has kept the development of Thiruvananthapuram in mind always, we would continue to keep track of the evolving state of things in our city.
14
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
July 2013
METRO mart