Kochi: The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has given shape to a conceptual plan for the proposed second phase of Rs 430-crore Vytilla Mobility Hub with a focus on facilities related to easy access to inter-transport modes as well as the proposed Comprehensive Mobility Plan. Sources said the plan was finalised with the help of consultant Egis Rail and technical inputs from CODATU, a French non-profit organisation for the development of transportation. The same will be submitted to the district collector, who is also the managing director of the Vytilla Mobility Hub Society next week.
Among the ten-point recommendations is the pedestrian-friendly connectivity from the metro station to the bus terminal, the boat jetty and the rickshaw stand.
The hub second phase will be designed in such a way as to accommodate the public and private buses travelling through Vyttila, the busiest junction in the state, and facilitate their entry and exit of the hub. They said a redesign of Vyttila Junction and area traffic plan was a must to achieve this goal. Another recommendation is the last mile connectivity through the creation of a pickup and drop-off area for cars, rickshaws and taxis. Steps need to be initiated to differentiate the city buses from the inter-district and inter-state buses and to reduce time spent inside the hub and make it more accessible for users.
Passenger information and signage need to be provided at all key points for the benefit of commuters. “As promised earlier, the hub second phase will be developed in an eco-friendly manner. Qualitative open spaces and green areas, notably through landscaping of the riverfront and the development of a public square should be taken up,” the plan document said. Steps will also need to taken to accommodate future development plans of various agencies like GCDA, PWD or the NHAI to boost urban transport network. A meeting with the VMHS authorities will be convened soon to finalise the plan.
