Kodimatha Mobility Hub - Kottayam

Rail, Road and Water way connectivity will be the hallmark of Kottayam Mobility Hub at Kodimatha.Initially proposed by Jose K Mani, MP, the project is to be implemented over 250 acres of land in Nattakom and Panchikkad panchayats and aims to improve public transport facilities

and reduce traffic congestion in city. Railway-road-water transport facilities would be toned up and ancillary facilities such as parking areas and recreational centres rolled out as part of the project.

The proposal is to develop unused marsh lands on the southern outskirts of Kottayam town by setting up a railway passenger terminal together with bus and boat terminals. The area that has been identified would fall roughly on the western side of the railway line crossing the Kodimatha area and eastern side of MC Road. It would have the Kodoor river to mark the

northern boundary.

The rail component of the project has been left to the Southern Railways. They could bring in either a coaching terminal, (which has already been sanctioned for Kottayam in the 2011 Railway Budget) or a halting station. The project has set apart 50 acres of land for rail terminal and related activities.

The road transport system centred at the hub will have terminals for the KSRTC for their inter-district and inter-state services and also administrative offices. The inter-district services of private buses will have their terminals in addition to the terminals for tourists buses which operate regular inter-state services.

The water transport facility will be west of the MC Road and there will be special connectivity for the commuters to the jetty. The proposed mobility hub will also have a helipad and road connectivity to the Kottayam port a few kms away.

Service stations and refueling facilities for the vehicles and dormitories and other accommodation facilities for the passengers will be provided at the township being built around the transportation theme.

A 30-acre multi purpose complex envisaged as part of the hub would become the centre piece of the entertainment and amenities facilities at the township. These facilities include food courts, multiplexes, gymnasiums, malls, and other facilities.

The project, will be taken up on a public private partnership mode.

Components of Mobility Hub

1. Bus Terminal building and Bus Terminals2. Gas station3. Repair station4. Idle parking area for buses

5. For Public: Multi level Parking lots for cars and auto rickshaws- 6. Boat Terminals

o For Water Transport Corporation Serviceso For Tourist boats other than House Boats

7. Central Administration BlockOffices ,cafeteria, toilet facilities for staff8. Call Centre9. Service Stations under Utility Management Centre (for KSEB, Water Authority, BSNL,

PWD wings etc.)10. Commercial Complex

o Shopping Mallo Restaurantso Travel Ageniceso Cargo Serviceso Mini Theater etc.

11. Accommodation Facilitieso 200 Rooms for rento Dormitoryo Rest Roomso Cloak Room

12. Tourist Taxi Terminal13. Auto Terminal14. Sub Office of Kottayam Port with road connectivity to Kottayam Port15. Police Station16. Park and Gym with Cycle tracks and Walkways, jogging tracks ,theme parks17. Heli pad18. provide artificial water bodies to maintain effective drainage -water theme project

Scope of the student thesis:

1. Preparing Master Plan for the project based on the following concepts: Movement of pedestrian should not interfere with the vehicular movements. Separate terminals for KSRTC (Moffusil services) and BMTC (city services) Sufficient covered parking area Adequate passenger amenities are to be provided Movement of taxis, auto rickshaws and two wheelers are to be channelized so as not to interfere with pedestrian or bus movements Area is to be landscaped appropriately Depot for KSRTC to park their vehicles and carry out minor repairs Facilities for handicapped Separate parking area for taxi /auto rickshaws/ two wheelers

2. Designing and Detailing of following typology:

A.1 Bus Terminals (approximately 150 bus bays)

o For Private long route buses

o For KSRTC inter district services and inter state services

o For Tourist Services (both Private and Public)

o Separate Bus Terminal for city buses (capacity of 20 buses at a time)

A.2 Idle parking area for buses

A.3 Terminal building

Well-equipped entry plaza, in two floors, with all passenger amenities like ticket reservations, tea stalls, restaurants, book stalls, toilet facilities, waiting areas etc.

For Public:

Multi-level Parking lots for cars and auto rickshaws- approximately

900 cars, 120 auto rickshaws and 1500 two wheelers, sky way connecting parking lots to terminals

B. Boat Terminals

o For Water Transport Corporation Services

o For Tourist boats other than House Boats

C. Water front restaurants