Kochi: The Kochi Corporation has finally decided to directly conduct commercial operation of the modern roll-in roll-off (RORO) vessels built by it on the Fort Kochi-Vypeen route instead of leasing the job to contractors, a practice followed by it so far. “The decision was taken following public demand. We’ll form a company for operation of the vessels, however, it would take some time for the process to complete. Till then we’ll entrust government or quasi-government bodies such as the State Water Transport Department or the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC),” Mayor Soumini Jain told DC.
The commuters in the Vypeen region had earlier demanded not to lease out the operation rights to contractors as is the usual practice. “The corporation so far entrusted private contractors whose only concern was profit. There are complaints that the contractor has deployed vessels of over 10 years old both for the ferry and the jhankar services. A lot many times, there were instances when they developed technical glitch midway through the section cutting across ship channel and got swept away by undercurrent towards sea,” said Francis Chammany, president, Vypeen Boat Passengers Association.
Though the RORO vessel, the first of its kind built by any local body in the state, was commissioned in November last and also construction of the ferry boat ‘Fort Queen’ completed, they would be deployed for service only by the first week of September. “Their deployment will get delayed as the Port Trust and the Shipyard suggested alteration of plan with regard to the pillars to be set up in the new terminals at Vypeen and Fort Kochi. We’ve held a meet with the Port Trust and Shipyard officials the other day for approval of the new drawing. A site visit will be held in the coming days and the remaining works will start,” the Mayor said.
The Corporation placed order for constructing two RORO vessels at a total cost of Rs 7.14 crore. The civic body has got financial assistance from Kerala Urban and Rural Development Finance Corporation (KURDFC) to procure the vessels. Each vessel can carry four trucks weighing 10 tonnes, 12 cars and either 50 passengers. The double-end role-on role-off vessels will help faster movement of vehicles since both ends will serve as exit and entry. With this, congestion and waiting time at jetties can be reduced considerably.
