Kochi: An acute manpower shortage at boat repair yards of the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) at Thevara and Alapuzha has led to the delay in repairing of passenger ferries which in turn has caused hardships to commuters in the form of frequent trip cancellations. “Due to the staff shortage at the Mechanical division, we are forced to allow at least three employees entrusted with operating a boat to the yard for works like welding. Currently there is a facility for only one boat at the Thevara drydock and as a result, repairs get delayed which has affected the maintenance of other boats too,” said a SWTD official.
Currently there are only eight boats for nine schedules in Ernakulam. “On many days we are forced to hold back boats for minor periodic maintenance like oil change affecting the trips further. However, care is taken to avoid cancellations during the morning and evening peak hours,” the official said. “Ferry services to places like Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and Vypeen cater to thousands of passengers every day. However, as many as 35 trips are being cancelled due to non-availability of boats,” said S Padmanabha Mallya, Secretary, West Kochi Passengers Association.
Meanwhile, SWTD Director Shaji V Nair said sanction was given to create 20 additional posts in the Mechanical section and that is expected to ease the problem to a large extent. “Currently only eight boats can be accommodated at Allapuzha yard and a single one in Thevara. We have submitted a proposal to enhance the infrastructure at Thevara so as to attend to three boats simultaneously,” he said.
