The Vytilla bus terminal cum-mobility hub, expected to reduce traffic congestion in Kochi, the commercial capital of Kerala, is all set to come up with Chief minister V S Achuthanandan laying the foundation stone for it.

Speaking on the occasion, he said the terminal was expected to be completed in two phases and would be of international standards with most modern facilities.

With the commissioning of the mega International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vallarpadam and the LNG Terminal at nearby Puthuvypeen,traffic flow would increase tremendously, he said, adding that the government had kept this in mind while deciding to develop Vytilla Mobility Hub.

Initially there were some problems in acquiring land for the project, but it was sorted out due to cooperation from various departments, he said.

Referring to the Metrorail project,he said Kerala has been pressurising the Centre for the last four years to implement it. Sanction was received, but only after initial delays, citing several obstructions.

He alleged that the Centre was turning its back to a state government suggestion that the metrorail be a joint Centre-state project and added that the government would go ahead with implemeting the project.

Achuthanandan said there was uncertainity over the ICTT project when LDF assumed power four years ago. But they obtained sanction from the Centre and the land acquistion process was completed in spite of difficulties, he said.

T K Jose, Nodal Officer, Greater Cochin Development Authority projects, said the first phase was expected to be completed in a year. It would have facilities for parking 175 buses, 2000 to 6000 cars, and 2000 to 10000 two-wheelers.

Three boat jetty's and green zone would also be set up on the eastern side of the hub, he said.