Thiruvananthapuram: The work on the modern Palayam Connemara Market in the city is progressing at a rapid pace and is set to become fully operational by Feb next year, said a senior official of Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL).“The project is progressing rapidly. The basement work has been completed. We are targeting to make the redeveloped market fully operational by Feb 2027. We will ensure that all the relocated vendors are rehabilitated by that time,” a senior SCTL official told TOI.The project, being implemented jointly by SCTL and Thiruvananthapuram corporation, had faced several hurdles, including relocation and rehabilitation of traders, demolition of the old structures and shifting of Kerala Water Authority pipelines. Officials said most of these issues have now been resolved, allowing construction to proceed without major interruption.A major component of the project was the rehabilitation of traders operating from the old market. Temporary prefabricated facilities were created behind the market to accommodate relocated vendors and clear the construction site. The relocation process had earlier triggered protests and legal challenges, with traders raising concerns over space, ventilation, sanitation and other basic facilities.Two traders currently operating from the rehabilitation facility had raised complaints regarding inadequate facilities. Corporation officials said the issues have since been addressed through interventions led by the civic body.“A number of concerns traders raised regarding the temporary rehabilitation facility have been addressed. The corporation is monitoring the facilities so that the vendors can continue their business without difficulties,” said a corporation official.The redevelopment of the century-old market is among the key projects under the Smart City Mission’s land-use efficiency component. The plan envisages replacing the ageing market with a modern multi-level complex while retaining the heritage character of Connemara Market, especially its iconic gateway. Smart City documents describe the project as an effort to create a vibrant market space with shopping outlets, food plazas, storage facilities and decentralised solid waste management.The new complex will include dedicated vending areas, improved sanitation and waste-management facilities, liquid-waste treatment, service facilities and basement parking. Earlier plans envisaged a G+3 structure over two basement levels, with the ground floor primarily accommodating vendors and upper floors being used for commercial activities.The construction contract was awarded to Hyderabad-based Sri Avantika Contractors (India) Ltd. The project cost is around Rs 67 crore, said officials. The contractor was selected when SCTL retendered the project after the earlier contractor, RDS Projects Ltd, withdrew from it amid prolonged delays and cost-related issues.The project remained stalled for years, with the original redevelopment plan dating back to Smart City Mission’s proposals of transforming Palayam into a modern commercial hub. SCTL had originally proposed a redevelopment model combining the market with parking and other urban infrastructure.The focus now is on completing the superstructure and associated facilities within the revised timeline. Once completed, the redeveloped market is expected to provide a more organised and hygienic trading environment for vendors while easing parking and traffic-related problems in one of the busiest commercial areas in the heart of the capital.
