Kochi: The State Water Transport Department (SWTD) now aims to start the high-speed ferry boat service in the Ernakulam-Vaikom route by November 1.
“The boat construction is currently progressing after an Aroor-based agency bagged the '1.70 crore project for the catamaran-type twin-engine boat. It will take another seven months for the boat to be ready,” said SWTD Director Shaji V. Nair.
Once operational, the service will be the fastest of those run by the department with the boat set to travel at a speed of 12 knots, double that of normal boats.
“The front portion will be air-conditioned and includes 50 seats. We expect the service to attract tourists in a big way. The remaining 70 seats are aimed at daily commuters. The boat could cover the distance in 1.5 hours without the hustle and bustle of city traffic. We’re yet to finalise the ticket rates however, we’re trying to keep the fares (for non AC portion) below that of the KSRTC superfast charges,” the official said.
The boat will have stops at Thevara, Perumbalam and Chemmanakari before reaching Vaikom. The project cost is met out of Rs 1.75 crore taken from Vaikom MLA A Ajith’s Local Area Development Fund.
