Kochi: With the possibility of three passenger boats operating in Kochi backwaters being withdrawn, commuters to West Kochi are afraid they could be in for a great deal of inconvenience.
“The route sees a heavy rush of passengers, especially during the tourism season and a sudden withdrawal of these boats will prove very inconvenient, ” says Padmanabha Mallya, Pashchimakochi Passengers’ Association secretary.
Noting that the KSTDW operates only 46 services as against the 76 promised on this route, he feels more boats need to operate between mainland Kochi and West Kochi, especially in the morning and evening peak hours. “Passenger boats charge only one-third of the bus fare and take just 20 minutes to cover the distance. By comparison commuting by road takes over an hour,” he points out.
According to sources, three wooden boats, A 82, A 87 and A 89 are currently operating without fitness certificate from the Cochin Port Trust as the department does not have enough boats to meet the rush of passengers. While the KSTDW has reportedly applied for renewal of the boats' fitness certificates, a procedural lag is said to be holding up their issue.
KSTDW officials, when contacted, said they had not yet to taken any decision on withdrawing the boats Since new posts can’t be created, a comprehensive change in staff allocation is needed to improve the functioning of the department,” added the official.
