Kochi: The stalled second phase works of the Vytilla Mobility Hub will get a final push as local MLA Benny Behanan, who had vociferously championed the timely completion of the project, has been inducted in the executive committee of the Hub society.
“It does not matter what the final size of the project is. What is important is the timely completion of the international bus terminal so that it could be used by the public. I’ve asked the chief secretary to convene a committee so as to finalise the course of action,” the MLA said.
Initially, a five-storey building was planned but it was later cut down to three and the work was estimated to cost Rs 450 crore. However, the state government had expressed its reservations over the huge investment citing feasibility.
Sources said that the project is now being downsized so as to reduce the investment to Rs 250 crore which the Hub society could raise itself by opting for loans from a consortium of banks.
The second phase includes the construction of three floors of the building. The ground floor and first floor will be used exclusively for parking mofussil buses. The second and third floors will be leased out to commercial establishments.
