India’s multi-modal hub project to come up for discussion

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: India’s State government has called a high-level meeting on 3 January to discuss proposed multi-modal hub around the international airport in Thiruvananthapuram. The meeting has been called by the principal secretary, coastal shipping and inland navigation of the State government. The Airports Authority of India too has been informed.

Those expected to attend are principal secretaries of transport and environment, airport director, chief engineer and director and the inland navigation directorate.

Kerala Road Fund Board, an entity under the public works department, has already been asked to prepare a feasibility report on the project. A multi-modal transport hub concept encompasses all modes of transport, including air, bus, rail and water.

The Thiruvananthapuram international airport is suitably located to draw synergies from all these modes, with minor tweaking and adjustments. The project was originally the brainchild of V.N. Chandran, Airport Director, and now enjoys the backing of Airports Authority of India.

The high-level meeting is expected to take up the issue of cleaning up of Parvathy Puthanar that cuts across the city and meanders to just outside the new terminal.

Currently languishing in various stages of disrepair and neglect and largely clogged, this could potentially provide the link to the ‘water mode’ of transport to the hub.

Cleaning up of the channel running close to the terminal complex on the city side of the airport bristles with prospects of cruise tourism.

Meanwhile, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has looked at the possibility of linking the airport with the proposed high speed rail corridor from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod. Proximity to Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and the Maintenance Repair Overhaul facility of Air India Charters would be an added attraction to the hub project.