KOCHI: The state government will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the consortium of banks to mobilise funds for the second phase of the Vyttila Mobility Hub project.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the first phase of the Vyttila Mobility Hub here on Saturday, Fisheries and Registration Minister S Sarma said the MOU would be signed within a couple of days. The efforts to get the funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)scheme will continue, he said.
"Around Rs 376 crore is required for the second phase of the project. In case the JNNURM fund is not allocated, we cannot afford to lose the project. So we will be making parallel efforts to raise fund," Sarma said. The tender procedures for the second phase of the project are being completed. The pre-qualification tender has been verified and the financial bid will be opened within a couple of days, Sarma said.
The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) had provided land to the Agriculture Department in lieu of the land provided by the latter for setting up the mobility hub. The GCDA also provided interest-free loan to the Vyttila Mobility Hub Society.
So the state government has decided to give the agency a stake in the project, he said. Inaugurating the mobilty hub, Cheif Minister V S Achuthanandan said the Railway Minister who declared suburban trains for other states failed to give adequate prominence for Kerala.
She did not mention even the name of the Kochi Metro Rail project in her budget speech. In the wake of the development projects like Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal, the metro rail project is more important for Kochi, the Chief Minister said.
Union Minister of State for Civil Supplies K V Thomas said the state and the Centre should work together for the development of Kochi.
Transport Minister Jose Thettayil flagged off the KSRTC double-decker bus, the first bus to start service from the terminal.
P Rajiv MP, Charles Dias MP, MLAs Dominic Presentation, K Babu and C M Dinesh Mani, Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany, District Collector Sheik Pareed, GCDA chairperson M C Josephine, Corporation secretary Ajith Patel and Corporation councillor Sunitha Dixon were present.
Vyttila Mobility Hub secretary M Beena welcomed the gathering. Officials of KITCO and DMRC attended the programme.