Kochi: The Vypeen-Fort Kochi ferry route, cutting across the ship channel, is dangerous as hundreds of fishing boats based in Mattancherry and Fort Kochi areas ply through the section while proceeding to the deep sea for fishing. “We don’t have a proper figure of the fishing boats, many of which have no registration as required by the Inland Vessel Act. While the passenger and tourist boats in the Kochi backwaters number around 150, we estimate the trawling boats to be thrice the number,” said an official of the Kerala Ports Department.
Also, the practice of the trawling boats anchoring near the Kamalakadavu boat jetty in Fort Kochi to fill fuel is risky to the passenger boats. The age and condition of the boats plying in the section is another cause of worry.
“There are two ferry boats. While MV Harsha, which broke into two pieces in today’s mishap, is 35 years old, the other MV Bharat is 40 years old. Similarly, the jankars currently plying in the section too are in bad shape. Though the contractor has to keep ready a spareboat in case of emergencies as per the agreement with the Kochi Corporation, the same has not been followed,” said Francis Chammany, president, Vypeen Boat Passengers Association.
“The boats are also poorly maintained. Take the case of the State Water Transport Department boats. Nine boats are daily conducting schedules to various destinations. However, it’s doubtful whether their maintenance is properly carried out after taking to dry docks,”said S. Padmanabha Mallya, secretary Pashchima Kochi Passengers Association.
