Vyttila Mobility Hub is an excellent transportation system in Kochi with state of the art facilities. This well designed integrated transport terminal is a converging place for different forms of public transportation. Be it road transport, water transport or metro rail, you can find the right mode at this hub. Kochi is a fast growing metro city which requires comprehensive plan in order to meet the needs and demands in traffic and transport. The latest buzz is that the government has plans to develop the Vyttila Mobility Hub as a center of different public transportation system.
A grand funding proposal from the French Development Agency
Uncertainty about the development of Vyttila Mobility Hub is over. The French Development Agency, AFD has been ready to offer financial support for the development of this project. They offer funding at minimum interest rate. Considering this external support, the government has planned to develop Vytilla Mobility Hub. They planned to transform it as a center of different public transportation system. Further decisions will be made after the restructuring of the Mobility Hub Society Executive Committee. They have also plans to develop the 25 acres land at Vytilla. It may transform into Multi-model Transport Hub as a part of the first agenda of the new executive committee.
This 25 acres land at Vyttila has favorable conditions to convert it as a great hub. It can certainly unite different public transportation systems into one place. Many big cities of foreign countries can this type of transportation hubs. This kind of multi-model transportation hub will become more important in the future. So, it is important to combine the road, water and metro rail transportation under one ticket.
The French Development Agency (AFD) that provides external funding to the Kochi Metro has already commented about the favorable conditions at Vytilla to develop the multi- model transportation hub. AFD has informed their willingness to offer funding at minimum interest rate to this project also to Mr. Elias George, MD., the Kochi Metro Rail Limited. KMRL informed this finance proposal of AFD to the government. This matter will also be discussed in the upcoming Mobility Hub Executive committee. Government has shown interest in the proposal and has plans to take funding from AFD to complete the project.
One stop for bus, metro and boat
A traveler can easily go to different parts of Kochi city after the successful completion of Vytilla Multi-Model Transportation Hub. It will be a one-stop solution for bus, boat and metro rail transport. A person who reaches this hub from any place can continue his journey by choosing the right transportation mode. The best advantage of Vytilla is that it is adjacent to the National Highway. It is also a junction where 5 most important roads meet. Besides, Kaniyambuzha River shares one border of Vytilla Hub.
Convenient for railway passengers
One of the most important metro stations in the city is in the Vyttila Mobility Hub. Railway can find enough space here almost 300 meters away from the metro station to establish a halting station. If it will become a reality, this multi-model hub can include railway passengers as well. A railway halting station can be a good idea at the Vytilla Hub. But travelers will not find any difficulty to reach the nearby railway stations in Kochi without a halting station. Both the Ernakulam North and South railway stations are only 4 kilometers from Vytilla Mobility Hub.
Better public utilities
The commercial requirements will be less after the makeover of Vytilla Hub to a multi- model transportation hub. The available space can be utilized for the improvement of public facilities. The authorities have already included more area for commercial purposes at Vytilla Hub for the survival of the Hub Society. But most of the shopping complexes still remain vacant in the hub. So, they decided not to include anymore in the upcoming multi- model transportation hub.
The funding offer from AFD is attractive for the government because of its minimum interest rate. However, the funds from this French Development Agency can be accepted only after the approval of the government and the Mobility Hub Society Executive. The application for the funding will be submitted only after getting approval from both these parties. The main purpose of this new project at Vytilla is to bring different transportation means for the convenience of passengers. This project can be a comprehensive plan to meet different transportation needs of a fast growing city like Kochi.
