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September 14, 2023Concerns raised over KSRTC terminal plan at Vyttila Mobility Hub
D Dhanuraj, Chairman of CPPR, comments on the news ‘Concerns raised over KSRTC terminal plan at Vyttila mobility hub’. The news was published in Times of India (06-09-2023)
Kochi: Experts have raised concerns over the plan to set up a new KSRTC terminal at Vyttila Mobility Hub, pointing out that it will cast a cloud over the much-awaited phase II development of the mobility hub. It was two days ago that KSRTC invited expression of interest for the commercial development project at the mobility hub on design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis.
Three acres owned by the Vyttila Mobility Hub Society (VMHS) at Vyttila has been handed over to KSRTC for the development project as part of a plan to exchange land between the two agencies. KSRTC, on its part, has handed over four acres owned by it at Karikkamuri near the Ernakulam KSRTC bus station to VMHS. Vyttila hub phase II development plans were made in 2013. Since then, the project has made no major progress and now, several social organisations have raised concern that the KSRTC project will sound a death knell for the second phase development of the mobility hub.
The move to implement the KSRTC project at Vyttila Mobility Hub is against the declared aim of the second phase development of the mobility hub. There should be a clear proposal to integrate transportation in the city while implementing such a project. But, developing some buildings in the land owned by VMHS will badly affect the proposed phase II development of the hub and it would not be beneficial for the transport sector of the city.
D Dhanuraj, Chairman of Centre for Public Policy Research
The Vyttila Action Council has demanded reconsideration of the project to set up the KSRTC terminal at the hub. We are doubtful about the further development of the hub, as KSRTC is going to develop the three acres at the hub. The KSRTC’s efficiency to implement such a project also should be questioned, said Arjun Prakash of Kochi Next Forum.
Years ago, KMRL had prepared a detailed project report on Vyttila hub phase II development at an estimated cost of Rs 572 crore and it was sent to NITI Aayog for approval. NITI Aayog sent it back on a negative note stating that the model was not feasible and advised to proceed with the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Mayor M Anilkumar said the government did not proceed with the phase II development works mainly due to the financial crisis. “We need a huge amount for implementing phase II development works. Raising the funds is not practical now, but we are yet to drop the project,” he said. The VMH Society authorities did not respond when TOI contacted them.
