Talks on to retain sub-station on Vyttila-Petta

KOCHI: Even though the Vytilla Mobility Hub authorities have decided to ply more buses into the hub, opposition to a major part of the Mobility Hub project, the widening of  the Vyttila-Petta road, exists. The widening of the road would affect the electrical substation in Vyttila, which is presently a contention between the PWD officials and electrical substation authorities.District Collector Sheikh Pareeth said, “we are trying to decrease the width of the road by four metres and bring it down from 30 metres to 26 metres. So the entire electrical substation need not be shifted to another location and hence prevent wastage of government money.”According to Executive Engineer M Chandrashekhar, “the relocation of the substation would otherwise cost at least an estimated Rs 100 crore. Such a fund for relocating a sub-station is unnecessary  and not feasible.”The PWD officials had earlier told the electrical substation authorities to shift their base to the Silver Sands Island, a small area in Vytilla. But the sub-station engineers were against it as the land was marshy.In order to prevent this, the substation engineers had earlier put forward a proposal to the Collector at least six months ago with other options for widening the road, without affecting their station or the public. The options included construction of flyovers and  use of other roads.”But a PWD official said, “based on this proposal, a joint inspection was conducted. When we worked at the proposal, we realised that it would be affect a mosque in the area. A decision affecting a worship centre cannot be approved”.Another PWD official T I Jose said, “Until the electrical sub-station is moved from the location, it would be difficult to continue with the work”.The substation presently provides electricity to many places, including  the railway stations, Manorama Junction, Kochu Kadavanthra roads, Cochin Shipyard, HOC, PCB, Puthenkurishu, Thrikkakara, Tripunithura, Aroor and Palarivattom.The Collector will be calling a meeting to discuss the matter with with the PWD officials.