German team impressed by Vyttila hub inter-modal connectivity.

'The only thing missing here is an airport,' quipped Heiko Warnken, head, Economic Cooperation and Development of German Embassy in India as he saw Kochi metro pillars coming up on the western side of the Vyttila Mobility Hub and a boat jetty on the eastern side.

'This is the nicest bus station I have ever seen. It is also very clean,' he said as he glanced at the sprawling bus terminal in the hub. He, along with Felix Klauda, head of division, Urban Development and Mobility - South Asia of the German Development Bank KfW; and Usha Rao, senior sector specialist –Energy & Transport, KfW Delhi office; was at the hub as part of their visit to boat jetties and the metro corridor. KfW has offered a Rs. 624-crore loan for developing the water transport network in the Greater Kochi area and integrating it with public transport buses and the metro rail.

Officials of the Vyttila Mobility Hub Society and Kochi Metro Rail Limited explained to them how two more boat jetties are in the offing at the hub and how, along with commuters, two-wheelers too are transported in the boat from here to Infopark - Kochi's IT hub. They also spoke of how an elevated corridor would link the metro station with the bus terminal.

Speaking to The Hindu , Mr Klauda said that the boat jetty was an example of a developed one. 'Many other jetties in and around Kochi need refurbishment. And some boats that operate too are bad,' he said.

Mr Klauda spoke of how different modes of transport like buses, metro rail, cars and bicycles are integrated in German cities. 'This convenience encourages people from all walks of life to use public transport.'

KfW is willing to fund development of the water transport system in Kochi, provided all (government clearances) go ahead fast. To a question whether KfW was willing to provide technical expertise, he said, 'It all depends on how much of help is needed. For this, we are awaiting the project’s detailed project report.'

Earlier in the day, they visited boat jetties in Ernakulam, Fort Kochi, Vypeen and Chittoor South. They also checked out the condition of ferries operated by the State Water Transport Department.


THE HINDU