Kochi: The much-delayed second phase construction of the Vytilla Mobility Hub is set to begin next month with the authorities targeting to complete the work in another two years.
A governing body meet to be presided over by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will be convened at Thiruvananthapuram on February 4 to take key decisions on funding and the approval of the final Detailed Project Report.
"The project consultant submitted final DPR incorporating all required changes. The project cost was increased from Rs 368 crore to Rs 440 crore. We'll start the works as soon as the nod is given," said a senior VMHS (Vytilla Mobility Hub Society) official.
The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) will implement the project while French Development Agency AFD has evinced interest in its funding. Project consultant IPE Global Ltd presented three designs during a meet presided by District Collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla, also the Managing Director of the VMHS, in September. The collector directed the consultant to work on a combination of plans '2' and '3', scalable over a period of years based on needs.
The second phase will feature a total of 101 bus bays, including 16 boarding and alighting bays for city buses and 76 boarding and nine alighting bays for regional buses. This is in addition to 78 bus bays earmarked for idle bus parking.
The design proposes a land use pattern whereby 39 per cent out of the total project area of 25.16 acres will be earmarked for green space, 34 per cent for bus terminal and 27 per cent for road surface. There will be multi-level car parking for 400 cars spread over three floors accessible by ramps. Further parking space can be accommodated by ramps or mechanical systems. In addition, there will be parking space for 456 two-wheelers and 50 autorickshaws.
The metro passing through the hub will have a station inside, which will be strategically located to ensure smooth and easy access to the bus terminal and the water metro station.
