Budget for the Hub: Old wine in a new bottle

KOCHI: The budget allocation of Rs 5 crore for the second phase development of Vytilla Mobility Hub is nothing but old wine in a new bottle. The government had been giving the same fund for the last two years. The second phase will begin soon after the location of the metro rail near mobility hub gets finalised.“The second phase of the development will begin once we get a clear picture about the metro station at the mobility hub. At present we are carrying out talks in this regard,” said M Beena, Managing Director, Vyttila Mobility Hub Society.The pre-qualification assessment for awarding the tender for second phase construction of the hub has been completed. Vyttila Mobility Hub Society is expected to float the tender.The second phase of work includes the construction of a two-level under-parking facility, another two-level bus parking facility and a shopping complex. The under-parking facility will be for private vehicles and other facility will be for buses.“With the completion of the second phase, the primary requirements in the hub will become functional. The complete work of the hub will finish after the third phase. The third phase will concentrate on the commercial activities. We cannot say anything about the exact period of completion,” M Beena said.