Kerala - Alappuzha   

Modernisation of boats on the anvil

By A. Harikumar

ALAPPUZHA, JUNE 11 . The State Water Transport Department has embarked upon a major modernisation programme, aimed at replacing its existing wooden boats and entering the tourism sector as part of its diversification programme.

The SWTD Director, L. Mohan Kumar, said the department would press into service 12 new boats this month. Of these, 10 were steel boats and the rest two made of fibreglass, Mr. Mohan Kumar told The Hindu .

He said the new boats were classified as skate boats, which have more breadth than the existing boats. Five new boats would be formally launched at the inaugural function on June 12.

Mr. Mohan Kumar said the aim of the programme was to replace the existing wooden boats with steel and fibreglass boats. The department has as many as 50 wooden boats at present. He said all boats that were more than 25 years old would be replaced in the first phase. The other boats would be replaced gradually. The aim was to renew the existing fleet in three years, he said.

"The replacement move has been initiated following the latest developments in boat building technology and is aimed at ensuring passenger safety and increasing efficiency of service boats, he said. He said the introduction of new boats would solve the problem of inordinate delay in boat repairs. The new boats will have hydraulic gearbox systems, which would reduce repairs.

Mr. Mohan Kumar said the boat jetties of the SWTD would also be modernised as a part of the project. On the diversification project of the department, Mr. Mohan Kumar said the next batch of new boats, to be introduced by the department, would have seats in the upper deck for tourists. He said the SWTD would start trips on the Kollam-Alappuzha route for tourists.

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