Vyttila Mobility Hub | Public Transit Development

[mohammedirshad06]

The second phase of development of the Vyttila mobility hub project is set to take off soon, despite the fact that it is still struggling to ensure full functioning of the hub. The government agency KITCO Ltd, has already initiated the preliminary work of the tender preparation for the project’s second phase aimed at decongesting city traffic. “We have given directions to KITCO to start the preliminary proceedings for tender work. We hope to begin the work in three months,” said hub managing director, Dr M Beena.

The tender would be floated when the loan agreements are signed officially. '”The only delay is in the approval from the executive committee of the hub,” she added. The phase II work is estimated to cost Rs 370 crore. The Vyttila Mobility Hub Society has raised nearly Rs 270 crore through a consortium of banks. The Union Bank has chipped in with a loan of Rs 100 crore. Other banks, including Federal Bank and Canara Bank would be providing Rs 100 crore as financial assistance. The work involves construction of the main bus terminal in the hub and commercial spaces. “Many banks are ready to invest but they have sought some more time, which we can't provide. Dena Bank has agreed to provide a Rs 64 crore loan and the rest would be funded by the government,” Dr Beena said.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chann...ase-offing-184

[mohammedirshad06]

The next director board meeting of Vyttila Mobility Hub Society would give the nod for initiating tender procedures for installing a fuel bunk in the hub. With hundreds of buses, especially KSRTC buses, shifting their base to the hub from Monday, a bunk is inevitable for its smooth functioning.

Three oil companies such as Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharath Petroleum Company Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum (HP) have submitted expression of interest for the project, M Beena, managing director, Vyttila Mobility Hub Society, said. “However, installing a fuel bunk will take quite some time. Until the fuel bunk is constructed, the KSRTC buses can fill fuel from the fuel bunks in neighbouring depots,” Beena said.

The measures taken for opening a police aid post at the hub are almost over. City Police Commissioner has given permission to open the aid post. Prepaid auto-rickshaw counters will be started at the hub.

With the authorities deciding to divert more buses to the mobility hub from Monday as part of the traffic regulations in the wake of reconstruction of North ROB, the hub will soon become more active. As per the plans, all the private limited stop, fast passenger, super fast, super express and super deluxe buses should end their trips at Vyttila Mobility Hub. All the city service buses plying via Vyttila, except buses coming from Tripunithura side, should enter the Mobility Hub.

The KSRTC limited stop, fast passenger, super fast, super express and deluxe buses also should halt at mobility hub between 7 am to 8 pm. These buses should use mobility hub as the bus station instead of the Ernakulam KSRTC stand. Half of the Ernakulam-Guruvayur KSRTC buses should end their trips at the mobility Hub

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/nod-for-f...34-60-116.html

[bijuarr]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

The [B]
The KSRTC limited stop, fast passenger, super fast, super express and deluxe buses also should halt at mobility hub between 7 am to 8 pm. These buses should use mobility hub as the bus station instead of the Ernakulam KSRTC stand. Half of the Ernakulam-Guruvayur KSRTC buses should end their trips at the mobility Hub
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/nod-for-f...34-60-116.html

It means after 8pm, all the night services from other places of Kerala will again to Present Stand? Is VMH not a permanent solution?

[mohammedirshad06]

The long distance buses,including Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), won’t be plying in the city from Monday, but will enter the Vyttila Mobility Hub. The new proposal is expected to help the transport authorities in their plan for the proposed traffic diversion.

As per the proposal by Regional Transport Authority (RTA), the operations of both KSRTC and private buses that cover over 140 km in each trip will operate from the Mobility Hub. With the long distance buses skipping the KSRTC bus station near Ambedkar Stadium and Private bus stand at Kaloor, the traffic congestion in the city is expected to be reduced considerably.
The authorities also stated that more Vyttila-Vyttila circular buses would start plying from the Hub for passengers wanting to reach the city.
The limited stop private buses, KSRTC fast passenger and super-fast buses will operate from the Hub.

The buses going to Tripunithura from the city will also halt at the hub. But buses coming from Tripunithura towards the city will not be entering the Hub. But these buses will have a stop at Vyttilla Junction. Private buses from Vaikkam, Thalayolaparambu, Piravom, Cherthala, Muvattupuzha, Perumbavoor and Kodungalloor won’t be entering the mobility Hub, and will continue to use the private bus stand at Kaloor. Some of the KSRTC buses to Guruvayoor will also run from the Boat Jetty stand.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/streamlin...52-60-116.html

[Malayaali]

Went to VMH yesterday. Its a visual delight, Kudos to the people behind it!

The terminal seemed picking up after long distance buses started plying, the only issue being the people got to walk some distance from the jn. to the hub!

Sorry, could not click snaps!

[vu3nnn]

KOCHI: All is not well at the Vyttila Mobility Hub as the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) expresses inability to re-route traffic through a partially functional system. The KSRTC has stated that long distance buses will continue to operate through the city till all required facilities are put in place at the Hub.

"The Vyttila Hub is not ready and long distance buses will avoid it. These services will pass through the KSRTC bus terminus in the city. Though we welcome the new system, all bus services cannot be re-routed till it becomes completely operational," said Alexander K Luke, Chairman and Managing Director, KSRTC.

He added that KSRTC's city services and those buses which had earlier been passing through Vytilla Junction would enter the Hub. Luke also said that KSRTC would introduce feeder services when the Hub was ready. "I have seen the drawings of the Hub and we are definitely willing to make use of the Vytilla Mobility Hub," reiterated the Chairman.

KSRTC points out that the Hub lacks an office space for the Station Master and there is no rest room and canteen facility for staff. The list of KSRTC services operating through the Hub is not available and there is no public announcement system to inform passengers of arrival, departure and cancellation of services.

"Passengers come to the Hub unaware of the fact that buses proceeding to Northern Districts do not enter the place. The bus stops at Vytilla junction on National Highway (NH) 47 were removed. So, commuters heading to places like Aluva, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode and the like are forced to shuttle between the Hub, the bus stop on the NH and finally, the KSRTC bus terminus in the city to catch a bus," said Sunil Kumar, Station Master posted at Vytilla. He also said that he had been receiving complaints from aggrieved passengers.

Meanwhile, Vytilla Mobility Hub Society (VMHS) Managing Director, M Beena said the concerns of KSRTC would be addressed. Cabins and restaurant facilities for staff will soon be introduced in the Hub. "The markings at the base will be done and provisions for public announcement system will also be introduced at the earliest. There is also a need for more lights," she said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/9987948.cms


The fact that these basic facilities are required are pretty obvious. Surely, the authorities realize that a bus terminal is much more than a few aesthetically designed bus bays and a tea stall.

Issuing orders to re-route busses without putting even the basic of arrangements in place for the commuters, staff, refuelling/repairs and maintenance of busses suggests sheer incompetence or irresponsibility. If these are the people who are supposed to shape the city's future destiny, only God can save the city.

By the way. I've no issues with using VMH AFTER completing all facilities there, which include flyovers to decongest Vytilla Jn

[mohammedirshad06]

watch the first story


Vytilla Mobility Hub's ambitious plans. The Rs 367 crore Phase-2 aims much larger projects for the terminal. The company MD Beena IAS, informed that they have plans to connect the Hub with proposed Metro stop and proposed Vytila Suburb Rail station thro' a skywalk.

The project also now aims urgently to develop 3 Boat jetties, one for Kochi Water Metro project (govt transport ferries), one jetty for Houseboat and tourism operations and another jetty for private operators.

[KMC]

happend to take a ride thru mobility hub , afraid to say , those who designed it has acted so brainlessly... it will become utter chaos at vytila once the hub start working in full fledged way...

the reasons

1. Buses coming from SA road has to take left turn at Vytila Jn , then a U turn , then a left turn to enter VMH road. This looks easy to read , but one must remember all these are to happen at Vytila Jn , kerala's busiest jn..

2. Buses coming out from hub needs to take left turn crossing SA road to reach bypass . again this looks easy . catch here is once the signal turns green at vytila jn , vehicles rushes and its only a few mtrs away from jn . Traffic jam is guranteed there. and my experience was similar.


though i feel the entry to the hub shud be from SA road and exit thru By pass, this would have resulted somewhat seamless movement for buses..under the present scenario we are heading to a disaster at vytila....

[vu3nnn]

Vytilla Mobility Hub is a perfect case study of how NOT to execute a project, and to an extent explains why Kerala lacks the development that other states enjoy. Poor execution of the project means that people, far from benefiting from such projects are actually put into inconvenience, and wish that a bad status-quo was much better than an even worse change. Such a feeling spreads, and people develop a tendency to resist new projects.

In due course things would become alright, but that is no excuse for poor planning and putting the people to inconvenience. The taxpayers pay the administrators salary, and they not doing what they are supposed to do (poor planning, neglecting to put basic infrastructure in place such as lights, PA systems etc) is another form of corruption.

Most of the developments that have come up in Kerala in recent years have been driven primarily by vested interests (mainly raising land value). The benefits to the people at large are only incidental. This is probably a reason why the planners and executioners become more concerned about the project as such rather than the finer execution points.

In this specific case, though Vytilla is good enough location for the mobility hub, there was absolutely no discussion (in the press or elsewhere) on the various alternatives sites. The site was selected on the basis of some study and all through the project execution, one could feel extreme haste and urgency, as if the authorities were working against some invisible deadline.

[RKPV]

Vyttila Busstand (Mobility Hub) can be used fulfledged only after completing the proposed flyovers in Vyttila

Also, Vyttila -Eroor road should have been developed and inbound vehicles from Tripunithura side would have been diverted through this way.

[KMC]

a classic case of a good project turning to a disaster due to improper study and planning. Ideally they shud have visited some Big cities in India which has already attempted such things , do a proper study , arrange the basic infrastructure needed , then go ahead with the project.

No body seems to hv learned from previous mistakes.....How ridiculous ....
Next danger is in the form of metro rail ..... Hope presence of DMRC will help us in some way ...

too disappointed by VMH ..... structure in isolation is brilliant ....but sadly in totality its turning out to be a failure .

[RKPV]

Skywalk to Petta for an ambiguous reason !!! Already there are two stops for metro at Vyttila and Thykoodam. Metro may take another 10 years to complete. So, Mobility hub will be taking more than 10?

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by vu3nnn

Vytilla Mobility Hub is a perfect case study of how NOT to execute a project, and to an extent explains why Kerala lacks the development that other states enjoy. Poor execution of the project means that people, far from benefiting from such projects are actually put into inconvenience, and wish that a bad status-quo was much better than an even worse change. Such a feeling spreads, and people develop a tendency to resist new projects.

In due course things would become alright, but that is no excuse for poor planning and putting the people to inconvenience. The taxpayers pay the administrators salary, and they not doing what they are supposed to do (poor planning, neglecting to put basic infrastructure in place such as lights, PA systems etc) is another form of corruption.

Most of the developments that have come up in Kerala in recent years have been driven primarily by vested interests (mainly raising land value). The benefits to the people at large are only incidental. This is probably a reason why the planners and executioners become more concerned about the project as such rather than the finer execution points.

In this specific case, though Vytilla is good enough location for the mobility hub, there was absolutely no discussion (in the press or elsewhere) on the various alternatives sites. The site was selected on the basis of some study and all through the project execution, one could feel extreme haste and urgency, as if the authorities were working against some invisible deadline.

As we said sometime before, we are not living a prefect world and under prefect system. Typical to Kerala, we live in a system where, one reason generates another reason and that generates another reason......

VMH is not one stand alone solution for Kochi's traffic congestion. But the attempt is good. In that process, a whole set of new problems arises. This would be facililate the urgency of widening Vytila-Eloor road, into a four lane road which would eventually end as Infopark Expressway extension.

I see, the whole of troubles, more positive, as it speeds the demand for flyovers/grade separators. Don't need to imagine, that would solve the issues. Something will arise.

We are not living in any Ahmedabad or places like that, where a whole set of barren land surrounds us, to decide how to grow a city. Typical to Kerala, we live in extremely dense area and land is extremely costly. Only one project and genuine need for development of that project, help us to acquire more land for it.

With congestion and other issues, there is a genuine demand for making Vytilla-Eloor road into a 4 lane, which without VMH couldn't think about it at all.

And secondly, we live in a Business city, where business interests are paramount and acquisitions happens at cost of business. Its pretty more easy to acquire houses or petty small traders as seen elsewhere. But impossible to touch big shots, unless the demand is very genuine and serious.

Perhaps this would increase need of multi-stacked flyovers at the junction.

[e_arunsid]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

As we said sometime before, we are not living a prefect world and under prefect system. Typical to Kerala, we live in a system where, one reason generates another reason and that generates another reason......

VMH is not one stand alone solution for Kochi's traffic congestion. But the attempt is good. In that process, a whole set of new problems arises. This would be facililate the urgency of widening Vytila-Eloor road, into a four lane road which would eventually end as Infopark Expressway extension.

I see, the whole of troubles, more positive, as it speeds the demand for flyovers/grade separators. Don't need to imagine, that would solve the issues. Something will arise.

We are not living in any Ahmedabad or places like that, where a whole set of barren land surrounds us, to decide how to grow a city. Typical to Kerala, we live in extremely dense area and land is extremely costly. Only one project and genuine need for development of that project, help us to acquire more land for it.

With congestion and other issues, there is a genuine demand for making Vytilla-Eloor road into a 4 lane, which without VMH couldn't think about it at all.

And secondly, we live in a Business city, where business interests are paramount and acquisitions happens at cost of business. Its pretty more easy to acquire houses or petty small traders as seen elsewhere. But impossible to touch big shots, unless the demand is very genuine and serious.

Perhaps this would increase need of multi-stacked flyovers at the junction.

Well Said MI.. This is just a begining..I am optimistic that VMH will be a sucess once the approach is made proper. We are just done with Phase I so it is not fair to jump into conclusion that it will be a failure.

[DileepKS]

The VMH team did what is possible, leaving out some to be done later. If they had waited for everything, we would have waited forever.

Tell me WHICH project happened in a systematic way in this great land? We are like this onlee.. And we do things like this onlee...

MI hit it on the head when he said "we are a business city". That is both our boon and bane. A lot of things ends up ad-hoc, because pretty much anyone could throw a spanner in the works. We should be thankful that at least some part of VMH is operational, thanks to people like Dr. Beena.

[mohammedirshad06]

What I believe better would be, change the alignment of Vytilla junction in such a way, the SA road from the city, goes straight towards Eloor Side, as new SA Road.

The current Tripunithara road, instead of entering Vytilla, must directly proceed towards Ponnurruni-Thamman road, via an underpass, eliminating the road at the junction.

This means, the Ponnurruni road which creates a second junction at Vytilla, can be eliminated the the current road can be diverted as side road to Vytilla ROB underpass.

[KMC]

Originally Posted by DileepKS

Tell me WHICH project happened in a systematic way in this great land? We are like this onlee.. And we do things like this onlee...

do we need to add one more project to that list . and how long we keep expanding that list....

[DileepKS]

Yes, and forever, unfortunately.

I hope you remember the back story of VMH. It was an effort akin to that of Bhageeratha to get the land from the 'jungle growing operations' of the agri deptt. Even silly things take a lot of time and trouble.

Shouldn't they change? Of course!! But nothing short of the "Emergency" period would change it. Yes, I am pessimistic there.

[Malayaali]

Give it some time guys! Its still an infant and remember Vytilla Jn development is considered a predecessor to VMH, that has not happened!

[NeeRaj_Chand]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

What I believe better would be, change the alignment of Vytilla junction in such a way, the SA road from the city, goes straight towards Eloor Side, as new SA Road.

MI, it is Eroor.. initially i got confused of reading it ELOOR...jz said...by d way, enjoying your postings very wel...
the VMH board should take up the phase 2 urgently...i saw 2day evening that, buses were blocked due to lack of spaces...initially, thought that, since the terminal is too big, there is no question of block inside it,eventhough d congetion at entry n exit points r horrifying..but nw , since almost all long route buses ends services there, it s in need of more spaces...however, it is nice to see that, a lot of employees has been appointed for its management ...