State Human Rights Commission chairman J.B. Koshy has issued orders asking the authorities concerned to ensure that work on the proposed elevated walkway, connecting the Thampanoor Central Bus Terminal and the Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station, begins this year itself.
Mr. Koshy asked the Chief Secretary to hold discussions with the departments concerned and to submit a report within July 1, a statement here on Monday said. The Commission registered the case suo motu after the inconvenience caused to passengers between the bus terminal and the railway station came to its notice. The Commission had asked for reports from the Southern Railway, the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and the Public Works Department on the issue.
The Railways, in its report, had said that discussions had been held with the Industries Additional Secretary in 2011 and that an estimate of Rs.5 crore was prepared. This had become Rs.6.5 crore now and a decision would be taken once the land for the Thiruvananthapuram Monorail project was finalised, the Railways had said.
The State too had informed the Commission that the walkway was under the consideration of the PWD and that Road Safety Authority funds would be used for the same.
The Corporation, meanwhile, had informed the panel that the site for the walkway was of the Railway and the PWD and that it could not interfere in the issue.
The case would be taken up for hearing on July 29, the statement said.
