Vytilla hub is geared up for the next set of expansion! This project, done as part of the Urban Development proposals in the state budget will reap some good benefits to the city. An amount of 5 crores has been set aside for the project, and this will be the second phase of development. A total amount of 40 crores is set aside for the project on the whole. From construction of the main terminal, and building four floors as a commercial complex inside the hub, the authorities have planned quite a bit for the hub.

The plans will go hand-in-hand with the Metro Rail Project. The construction works for the second phase of Vytilla Hub would start only after the final plans for the Metro Rail is implemented. There will be two basements and bus bays in a multi-storied complex. Work is yet to start, but once it begins, the authorities say that it shall get over fast.

With these new changes inside the hub premises, the authorities expect to raise the hub to international standards. Now that’s something to look forward to!

Traffic chaos, busses over speeding right towards you, autorickshaws taking a toll over your patience? All this happens in Kochi and that too during the wee hours of traffic. With demolition of North RoB, and traffic being deviated to other routes (from the main roads), Kochiites are currently undergoing their patience check.

Many projects, which will help in reducing traffic congestion in the city, are in the to-do list for our state government. And here is yet another one. A ring road that connects East Kochi to the new Vytilla Mobility Hub will be built soon.

This definitely will be a blessing to Kochiites who come from the other side of the city. They will not have to wait in the long traffic jams, and can reach Vytilla (a major junction in Kochi), at ease. The plan has already been approved by authorities including the Chief Minister of Kerala. A four lane road will be built for the ring road, and this will make travelling inside the city less complicated.

You might have to wait a little longer for this. Government is in the look-out for finance to fund for the project. Till then Kochiites need to go through the traffic turmoil and menace!

Kochi is going International. Thanks to the new projects and endeavors coming up. From Smart city to Cyber city, Metro rail and more, progress is happening at a rapid rate. Transportation across Kochi has always been a major concern. The recent traffic diversions have taken a toll over Kochiites’ patience too. But here is something which comes as a respite from all the mayhem you have been going through over the last few weeks.

Vytilla Bus Terminal has been in the news for some good reasons. A bus terminal that goes in par with the standards of an airport, Vytilla terminal has much to boast about. Happy news! Vytilla Bus Terminal is opened 24×7, from the 17^th of October. With more than 3000 busses plying from the terminal, this one is going to change the face of commuting in Kochi.

The hub is designed well, and even though there are shopkeepers and people who are rushing into the terminal premises to sell their products, the officials are pretty strict about not letting anyone into the terminal. This might lead to losing the sheen of the terminal.

If you are not amongst those who travel in busses across the city, make sure you at least check out Vytilla Bus Terminal. Do not miss that one!

Horn not OK please. This truly catches our attention. Thanks to the constant honking Kochiites have been used to over the past few months, and there seems to be no tomorrow for that. Fellow drivers would be testing your patience by honking in the rudest manner. Here is something which you can be part of.

A poster designing competition for school and college students will be organized at Toc H School auditorium at Vytilla on the 15^th of October from 9 a.m to 12.30 p.m. The competition is organized by the Young Indian initiative of the Confederation of Indian Industry, in association with Muthoot Environment Research Foundation.

The contest is held as part of ‘reducing noise pollution in the city’ initiative. The campaign which is organized by the Young Indian group will spread to other cities as well. Students from the age group of 12-25 can take part in this competition. And each school can send a maximum of 20 students. The first three winners will get cash awards of 10,000 rupees, 5000 rupees and 2500 rupees respectively.

For registrations, e-mail then at yi.hnop@gmail.com. For more details, you can ping them at 0484-4012300.

The Vytila Mobility Hub an initiative of Corporation of Kochi with an intention to reduce the traffic in the city is nothing less than havoc now. A fast growing city like Kochi requires a comprehensive plan to meet the growing demands and requirements. But the hotchpotch this new development has created is much worse than slogging our way in traffic, as traversing in the city is nothing less than a herculean task. The main reason being there is no clear picture among the people about the buses plying from the hub,  therefore the mayhem caused by people who do not belong to Kochi can be imagined as they will totally feel alienated by the new developments. As of now, the hub plays host to all long distance buses to Kottayam, Pala, Kumili, and Kanjhirapally, Vaikom,  Thekkady, Thiruvanathupuram etc. Buses to Thripunitra, Cherthala, Alapuzha (both private and KSRTC buses) go through the hub. There are different bay boards placed in order to distinguish the bus station. The hub can now accommodate about 65 buses and is  around 260 sqm in area. Other facilities like food courts, clean toilets and ample parking area for two wheelers and four wheelers are coming up.

The problems that need immediate attention are the hub timings i.e. from 8 AM to 8 PM makes it difficult for passengers from MG  Road and South to come all the way till Vytila and catch the bus. To make matters worse, there are very less vytila-vytila buses and most of them are so jam-packed that no buses stop at the bus stop! Also there is no lighting system in the exit area that makes it very difficult for women travelling at late hours of the evening. Availability of auto or other mode of transportation is also a major cause of worry!

Setting aside the little imperfections, kochiites have something to be proud of when the hub starts functioning in full swing!!

Kochi, get ready to witness a new water route! The Kerala State Water Department (KSWTD) plans to introduce a new water route that will link Vytilla Mobility hub with other parts of the city. So doesn’t that mean Kochiites find a respite from the traffic woes that are more than a menace to us?

The officials have taken up the plan seriously, and it will be implemented soon. You can travel in a 50 seater passenger boat, and KSWTD has sought the permissions for using the tourist boat hub at the terminal. The boat with an upper and lower deck will be classified into two different categories. When the upper deck will be exclusively for tourists, lower deck will be for commuters across Kochi.

This initiative will be a boon for people who want to travel to Kochi city premises from Thripunithura, Aroor, etc. Now all that is required is a nod from the government, and let’s hope this new project facilitates in reducing the traffic congestion in the city and makes things easier for Kochiites as well as for authorities too.

If you are a pool hustler in Kochi, you might want to “showcase” some of your talent for the upcoming All Kerala Pool Championship happening at Gold Souk Grande, Vytilla. The first of its kind, this competition is being conducted at Boomerang  (inside the mall) on 30th May. Entry fee is Rs. 200. You can call 0484-4033346 or 9746476117 for more details.

Not much of a pool player? Try you luck at Air Hockey or many of the other games and grab a few prizes.

Vytilla, or I would call, the official linkage that links our city to all the other parts of the state. We see traffic jams even during 3 a.m in this major junction. Waiting for minutes to pass Vytilla during the peak hours is rather a trauma than ‘testing of patience’. When private and KSRTC busses, cars, two-wheelers, and Tipper Lorries (current nightmare to pedestrians!) finds hard to fit in through the heavy traffic, passengers would better close their eyes and pray to almighty that we cross the junction ‘out of harm’s way’. The circumstances are at its worst when the traffic signal does not work, and there are no policemen to guide the traffic. Especially when the signal ‘takes rest’ during 9 a.m in the morning, you can see the calumny and chaos that Vytilla junction witnesses. Being the foremost and pioneer junction in the city, the officials must ensure that even if the signals are out of order, required police control is ensured here. Some days are more than crazier when you pass through this place. Kochiites, who has to pass through Vytilla needs to reach work on time. Waiting here for minutes cannot be done all the time. We need better organizing!

The search for world cuisine under one roof ends here Kochiites. Lokah, restaurant and cafe is the domicile for good food at the best rates. Be it Indian, Arabic, Chinese, you name it, they have it! When Abhishek Nair, owner of Lokah decided to open up the restaurant lest did he realize that he is going to start off one of the most ‘happening’ places in Kochi. “I started this off basically for travellers, people who come from across the globe because they can try out something unique and nice. Hence, Lokah came into being. Moreover, we want to do it as authentic as we can.” Lokah has three different stations for cooking, where they cook continental, Indian and other stuff separately. Well, hardly does any restaurant take the trouble of bringing out so much of perfection. And you must try out their meat loaf with barbeque sauce cos’ that is simply mind-blowing! Lasagna (flat pasta with cheese, sauce and meat) is something which you don’t get in our city. The Lasagna in Lokah along with a nice ginger lime juice is a guaranteed treat to your taste buds. “It’s the corporate crowd who drops in during lunchtime cos’ there are lot of offices nearby”, says Abhishek. The food takes max 10 mts to reach your table, but the sight of the food takes you to cloud nice, literally! Value for money, good service, and yummy food guaranteed!

The absences of 24×7 coffee shops have been a hitch to the nightlife in Kochi. But now we have the right decent place to sit over a cup of coffee after the late night club or house parties. Doesn’t it feel good when you chat with your friends or your date over some nice food at 2 a.m.?? Well, you must try it out to feel the ‘good’ part about it. Chillax started off around three months back, and is located adjacent to Tyrex at NH Bypass in Vytilla. Kiran. M. who owns this place says that this is the best way to promote nightlife in Kochi. Even though the concept is to attract bikers, people of all ages visit here. “Daytime is not very crowded, but we have a flood of people coming in during nightlife, be it weekdays or weekends”. If your sole motive is to try out food, we suggest fish ‘n’ chips along with a vanilla shake which can create wonders. Also, the chocolates that are packed (exclusive for Chillax customers) are worth the try! The best part is they plan to start Arabic grills soon (sometime by the first week of April), and that too grilled all the way by a Lebanese chef! This would be heaven for nightlife lovers, who love food and loves being in a ‘chillax’ place.