Vyttila Hub phase-II in limbo

Kochi: The Rs 368-crore Vytilla Mobility Hub second phase project is in limbo as the new government, in power for just over a month, is yet to form an executive committee, the first step towards taking up the project, despite the Vytilla Mobility Hub Society (VMHS) forwarding a letter in this regard. "We’d made four attempts to tender the second phase works, but the same is yet to materialise. Now we've to start from basics with the new government coming in. The first crucial step is the formation of an executive committee for taking decisions," a senior official said.

"The aim is to complete the work before the Kochi Metro starts operations." While the chief minister is the governing body chair, the executive committee usually includes at least ten officials from all stakeholders including the Kochi Corporation, the collector, the GCDA chair and the like. "This time, there will be representative from the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd since the Vytilla metro station is coming up inside the hub," the official said.

The VMHS had floated tenders four times, including two this year alone - on March and then again on April. The work was to be carried out on DBFOT (design, build, finance, operate and transfer mode).  Though the consultancy KITCO prepared an initial Rs 450-crore plan, the executive committee of the VMHS asked the agency to revise the same citing "high expenditure".

The bidding opened, but there were no takers despite extending the deadline by a month. "It was because the elections were near and the bidders were wary of a change of government. A study by KITCO has found the project very much viable," the official said. Phase-II involves the construction of bus bays, an underground parking bay for 1,000 cars and bikes, besides a multi-storied commercial complex. A total area of 25.16 acres was earmarked for the second phase.