Second phase work on Vytilla hub to begin soon
Staff Reporter
Kochi. Nov 28: The second phase of development works at the Vytilla bus terminal-cum-mobility hub is all set to begin, with 18 firms responding to the pre-qualification bid.
The bids would be evaluated by KITCO, the project consultants. Seven firms had responded to the construction undertaken in the first phase. Currently, work is on to build a parking lot for 40 cars. Landscaping works too are underway. “Both works would be over by December end,” said M. Beena, the managing director of Vytilla Mobility Hub Society.
Punching machines
The society is also in touch with firms to obtain punching machines that would be used to record the time of buses entering the hub. The location of the punching booth too has to be decided. Though people are trying to set up bunk shops and lottery vends in the bus terminal, steps have been taken to ensure order and cleanliness in the premises.
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and Tamil Nadu-government owned buses would be permitted to open ticket counters in the terminal. As for the entry of the KSRTC buses to the terminal at night, Ms. Beena said that most buses from eastern parts of the district have begun to call at the terminal after 8 p.m. Buses from northern parts too would do the same in another fortnight.
Food kiosk
In the meanwhile, a couple of people's representatives allegedly disrupted a meeting between Ms. Beena and representatives of residents' associations in progress at the Society's office on Friday, saying that attempts were being made to close down an eatery run by Kudumbasree workers so as to award the contract to a private firm.
Sources said that the Society had entrusted the Kudumbasree with running a nearby stall temporarily till the eatery was tendered. The private firm has to pay Rs. 4 lakh per month to the Society which would be used for the upkeep and security of the terminal.
Following Friday's incidents, it was decided that the Kudumbasree stall would sell only products manufactured by Kudumbasree self-help groups.
