Kerala - Kochi   

Resumption of boat services from West Kochi sought

KOCHI: The State Water Transport Department (SWTD) has not begun passenger-ferry services from Kamalakadavu in Fort Kochi and the Matsyafed Jetty in Mattancherry to Ernakulam, despite thousands of people from West Kochi relying on boats to reach the city.

As of now people have to travel all the way from near the Fort Kochi bus stand to the Customs Jetty, which is located about a kilometre away, to catch a boat. Similarly beginning ferry services from Mattanchery’s Matsyafed Jetty that is located near the Karuvelipady Government Hospital, would benefit people who now have to depend on private buses to reach the city and back.

The boat fare in the two sectors continues to be Rs 2.50, whereas the Fort Kochi-Menaka bus fare has been hiked to Rs 8.50. More and more bus passengers have been preferring boats since ferries from Fort Kochi and Mattacherry reach the city in 15 minutes, while the buses take over an hour.

This has resulted in ferries carrying passengers who number over twice the permitted capacity. The secretary of the West Kochi Passengers’ Association S. Padmanabha Mallya said that ferry services from Kamalakadavu to the city were stopped about three year’s ago. “The services were of tremendous benefit to both Fort Kochi residents and tourists. They now have to walk up to the Customs Jetty along an ill-lit road, braving traffic. Apart from the hiked bus fare, boats are often crowded with people coming to the city for Onam shopping and also in connection with Ramzan. More boats must be put in service.”

The SWTD Director in Charge Alex Paul said that he would look into the demand to start boat services from the two jetties. “Two more steel boats will join our fleet this week and orders would soon be placed for another eight boats. A few of them could be put to use in Kochi.” Apart from boats, the department is facing shortage of boat drivers. Those with licence prefer to operate house boats. He said that there is increasing demand from passengers to stop more boats at Wellingdon Island.

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