Buses are likely to be parked in two floors at the Vytilla bus terminal-cum-mobility hub, whose foundation stone would most probably be laid on June 7 by Chief Minister V.S. Achutanandan.
While city buses are likely to embark/disembark passengers from the basement, other buses would be parked on the first floor, under a modified plan prepared by Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation (KITCO).
This arrangement would slightly escalate the project cost which was initially estimated at Rs.121 crore.
Skywalk
An air-conditioned subway too has been planned, to connect the terminal with the western side of Vytilla junction.
This would be apart from the skywalk proposed between the terminal and the metro-rail station mooted on the junction's north-western side.
Sources in KITCO said that parking space for buses would be readied within a couple of months at a corner of the 25-acre plot, so that buses presently being parked at Vytilla can be diverted here.
An office to coordinate the works among different agencies too would be established here.
Tenders
“Tenders would soon be floated, so that at least phase-one of the project can be completed by February 2011. This would enable buses to begin intra and inter-district service with Vytilla as the base.
A boat jetty and green zone too can be established on the eastern end. A link with the Vytilla-Tripunithura Road too would be necessary.”
A possible halt for trains at Vytilla and commercial buildings to garner revenue for the project would be readied in the next phase.
Formal discussions are yet to be held with the agencies like NHAI and PWD on widening the NH bypass, other roads and building flyovers at Vytilla so that there is streamlined flow of traffic when the terminal is commissioned.
Roads to be widened
The Kaniampuzha Road has to be widened and linked with the Seaport-Airport Road. The Corporation of Cochin's Padma Junction-Pullepady- Thammanam- Chakkaraparambu Road and the GCDA's Chilavanoor Bund Road connecting Thevara with Thykoodam on NH 47 too would have to be readied as soon as possible for better east-west connectivity and decongest the SA Road.
Encroachments
The PWD has already begun removing encroachments from the busy Palarivattom-Kakkanad Road.
