The second phase of Vyttila Mobility Hub’s expansion is expected to begin soon. Funds for the project are planned to be sourced from a consortium of banks. The Rs.433-crore second phase will get going once the Cabinet ratifies the proposal.
A total of 110 bus bays, basement parking and 5 lakh sq. ft of commercial space, comprising food courts, shopping complexes and an office building, will be set up in phase two.
The Vyttila Mobility Hub Society has decided to go in for loans through a consortium of banks. This is because funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission were not allotted for phase one. There was also a delay in getting funds from the scheme for the second phase.
The executive committee of the society has shortlisted six companies from the prequalification tenders. The committee has convened a meeting on October 18 for the final approval.
New boat jetty
The newly built boat jetty was initially planned to be constructed in the second phase. Now, the first boat service from Vyttila Mobility Hub to Kakkanad will be launched as soon as a date for the inauguration is fixed. The boat jetty is the second string of the integrated urban transport system, the first being the mobility hub. When Kochi Metro is commissioned the integrated system will be complete.
The mobility hub society constructed the most visible part of the boat jetty at a cost of Rs.24 lakh.
The work included constructing a waiting shed, paving tiles, building ramps and infrastructure for passengers on foot and two-wheelers to alight from the boat. Two-wheeler access into the boat jetty would be marked soon, said an official.
The cemented platform of the jetty was set up by the Irrigation Department. Rooms for the station master and employees of the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) would also be built, said an official of the department. The boat service that will connect important places through waterways was mooted by the Kochi Metro to create a feeder system. Two boats constructed by Steel Industries Kerala Ltd, Kannur, were ready to set sail, said an official of the SWTD.
“The water-worthiness has been tested and both the boats are likely to reach here by next week,” he added. Only one boat will be pressed into service, while the other will be a stand-by.
