Dust clouds choke commuters, shop owners at Vyttila Hub in Kochi

Rain or shine, passengers arriving at the Vyttila Mobility Hub are subjected to miserable conditions that could even take a toll on their health. During the monsoon, muddy puddles and slippery sludge created hazards. Now, in dry weather, the same puddles have turned into thick clouds of dust, making the air nearly unbreathable.

Renovation work is currently underway at the hub, including the laying of interlocking tiles. However, the process was halted with the onset of the rains, leaving the surface uneven and the area exposed. Thousands of passengers pass through the hub daily, one of the busiest in the district, serviced by both KSRTC and private buses. In addition, commuters using the Metro and Water Metro also transit through the hub. But over the past few days, people have been severely affected by dust pollution.

Shopkeepers and kiosk owners at the hub are also bearing the brunt. Dust is spoiling food items quickly, raising serious hygiene concerns. Many report worsening respiratory conditions due to continuous exposure. Following protests, a municipal water-spraying vehicle was deployed, but according to M P Rathan, who runs a shop at the hub, "The dust returned just 10 minutes after the vehicle left."

Passengers say even a short wait at the hub triggers coughing and sneezing. "Travellers unaware of the current condition often arrive without masks and end up struggling to breathe," said one commuter. "You can’t see clearly for a few minutes after a bus passes—there’s just a thick wall of dust."