TRIDA (Thiruvananthapuram Developmental Authority)

The Thiruvananthapuram Developmental Authority or TRIDA, is an official organization that was established by the Kerala government in India to promote planned and sustainable development in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. It was formed in the year 1980 by Travancore Town Planning Act.

With a focus on urban planning, environmental protection, and infrastructural development in Thiruvananthapuram, TRIDA has been charged with organizing, regulating, and supervising the development operations in the area.

The main goal of TRIDA is to build a city that is rich in culture, socially and economically inclusive, and ecologically sustainable. Thiruvananthapuram strives to be a thriving, welcoming, sustainable city that offers a good standard of living to its citizens, tourists, and companies.

Today, the city buzzes and throbs with the frenzied business activity that goes on. In addition, having good air, rail, and land connectivity has not only helped trade but also contributed to an enormous rise in visitor numbers. There has been an evident shift in views and ways of living, and Thiruvananthapuram is fully poised to cater to the effects of modern civilization.

So, now let's take a brief look at TRIDA,

Objectives of TRIDA

TRIDA's objective is to organize, manage, and coordinate Thiruvananthapuram's growth through the use of creative and environmentally friendly techniques for infrastructure development, environmental preservation, and urban planning.

Key features of TRIDA

• City Planning
• Administration of Land
• Infrastructure Development
• Conservation of the Environment

Also read: All about GCDA or Greater Cochin Development Authority

Functions of TRIDA

TRIDA has a wide range of functions which are listed below:

1. TRIDA is responsible for designing and implementing development plans in the city.
2. Trida is involved in the planning and implementation of several infrastructure projects such as roads, water supply, drainage, waste management, and public areas to ensure the city has a strong and sustainable infrastructure.
3. TRIDA is liable for land-acquisition, land-pooling, land-reconstitution, and land-use planning to rationalize land use in the city.
4. Also responsible for formulating and implementing building regulations and codes to ensure a safe and sustainable environment in Thiruvananthapuram.
5. TRIDA engages with different stakeholders, including residents, businesses, government agencies, and civil society organizations, to seek and participate in the planning and development processes.
6. TRIDA mainly focuses on building the capacity of its personnel through training and professional development programs.

TRIDA presently has jurisdiction over the area in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and five neighbouring Panchayats namely Vilappil, Vilavoorkkal, Pallichal, and Venganoor.

Today, an Executive Committee of 11 members and a General Council consisting of 21 members control the Authority's functions.

Challenges faced by TRIDA

• Rapid urbanization- This leads to overcrowding.
• Infrastructure Failure- Outdated infrastructure like roads etc.
• Land Acquisition Barriers- High costs, and local opposition.
• Financial Conditions- Limited financial sources of government funding.
• Environmental Issues- Maintaining environmental sustainability while balancing growth and controlling pollution.
• Administrative Hurdles- Administrative procedures and complex regulations delay the approval and implementation of projects.

Final thoughts

TRIDA is driven by principles of transparency, accountability, and participatory governance in all its activities. They strive to preserve the city's rich culture and promote economic development while building an inclusive, durable, and resilient city. Also, they are focused to meet the needs and achieve the goals of Thiruvananthapuram locals while also promoting the general growth of the city.

Overall, TRIDA is a well-rounded framework that effectively meets its objectives and contributes meaningfully to promoting planned and sustainable development in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram.