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Kerala: Water transport to cover 75 km

16 routes connecting 38 jetties.
Kochi: A total of 16 routes connecting 38 jetties across a 76-km route network have been identified for the proposed integrated water transportation system for Kochi city.
A study initiated by the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) envisages the Rs 819.23- crore project to be fully operational by the end of 2019. It will be part of the bigger concept of seamless integration that includes metro system, city bus services and feeder services along with improvised access by non-motorised transport infrastructure.
“Every single route is meant to be convenient for commuters with factors like considerable time saving and other incentives. For instance, take the Fort Kochi-Ernakulam route. The trip takes one-and-a-half hours via road while a 15-minute boat ride would help you cover the same distance. The project is part of the pilot common ticketing system being implemented,” said Mr Elias George, Managing Director, KMRL.
Air-conditioned catamaran-type ferries are considered for operation and necessary clearances from the state and the central governments for the project are expected by February. The tenders will be floated thereafter.
A meet of various stakeholders involved was held on Saturday to discuss and finetune the project in detail. Over 60 officials from the Inland Water Authority of India (IWAI), Urban Mass Transportation Authority (UMTA), German consultant KFW, Cochin Shipyard, CUSAT, KURTC, Vytilla mobility hub, Cochin Corporation, GCDA, district administration, local panchayats, environmentalists, Cochin Port Trust and the KMRL took part in the one-day workshop.
During the discussions, it was decided to develop Fort Kochi Jetty (Jhankar service area) as a hub and to conduct trials using the modern boats in the Fort Kochi-Ernakulam and Vytilla-Kakkanad routes.
Many hurdles remain for project
The integrated water transport system in Kochi faces many obstacles - from making it feasible to overcoming resistance of fisherfolks. “Even after implementation of the second stage of the '819 crore project, there are only a lakh beneficiaries projected. We cannot hike fares beyond a point since the primary goal is to attract maximum passengers,” a senior official said.
The minimum fare proposed is '6 for the first stop, and after that, the fare shall increase by '2 for every stop till the final destination.
“Removal of fishing nets and stakes is another major task. There are lots of Chinese nets in areas like Tundathumkadavu along the proposed route. This posed a major hurdle to the development of the National Waterway. Weed problem is another issue, especially in routes like Chambakkara canal,” the official said.
Ebenser Chullikkad, a former boat operator on the Ernakulam-Varapuzha route, noted that he was forced to stop the services after 40 years of operation with the construction of bridges and extension of the road network. “The challenge is still there and only if the time-saving factor is extended to commuters would there be demand,” he said.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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