Kerala - Kochi   

Waterways can decongest roads, says Thettayil

KOCHI: Vested interests are trying to scuttle the proposed airport-seaport ferry service in the city by alleging that it would affect the environment, Transport Minister Jose Thettayil has said. The State government has set apart Rs.5.5 crore for the purpose.

The numerous waterways that criss-cross Kochi and link it with neighbouring areas provide the right alternative to travelling along congested and polluted roads, since they offer fast and eco-friendly commuting. As of now, even the few passenger ferry services from the city to West Kochi and Vypeen are inadequate and have to be augmented.

During the last four years, 33 passenger boats were added to the State Water Transport Department's (SWTD) fleet and 10 more are in the pipeline. Boat jetties would be renovated on public-private partnership basis, he said, while addressing reporters at the Ernakulam Press Club on Friday.

More ferries

“Taking into account the doubts about the introduction of 30 mini-buses in Kochi under the JNNURM scheme, the funds could ideally be used to purchase ferries and to improve boat jetties. The Department has planned a ‘See Kuttanad' ferry tour, taking into account the sound patronage for its Kollam-Alappuzha tourist boat service. A modern repair facility for passenger boats would soon get ready in Ponjikkara, Alappuzha,” he said.

City buses

To a question on the KSRTC's delay in beginning city bus services in Kochi despite the Ernakulam RTO blocking 50 permits for the purpose, Mr. Thettayil said that this happened because of the delay in getting steel sheets from the Steel Industries Limited-Kerala (SILK) and also due to paucity of drivers. There has been an encouraging response to the KSRTC's 22 premium buses in the city. The proposal to begin 20 bus services from the city to the Goshree Islands has been held up for many months as the High Court is yet to pass a final order on the issue, he said.

The KSRTC's debt to the oil companies has come down from Rs.136 crore to Rs.11 crore, thanks to the State government stepping in with financial help. Having to set apart Rs.20 crore each month just for pension is affecting the KSRTC's functioning, he said.

Answering a question on the lapsing of Central funds for road development in the State, Mr. Thettayil said that the Centre sanctions road projects only if they conform to norms that are common nationwide.

“It would be tough to widen rural roads to the stipulated eight metres, in a thickly populated State like Kerala,” he said.

Referring to steps being taken to prevent accidents, he said that the Motor Vehicles' Department would utilise the service of Home Guards to clamp down on rule offenders, since there is shortage of personnel in the Department.

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