Kochi: The Kochi Corporation aims to start services on the Fort Kochi-Vypeen Ferry route using the modern roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) vessel by March. However, commuters have 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 ten 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 the ship channel and got swept away by undercurrent towards the sea,” said Francis Chammany, president, Vypeen Boat Passengers Association.
Meanwhile, Mayor Soumini Jain said a decision on the matter was yet to be taken. “We’ve directed the concerned officials to hasten up trials and terminal constructions so as to start the services much before the March deadline. However, a decision on awarding contracts will be taken only later after weighing in all factors,” she said. The launch of the vessel, the first of its kind in the country, was held at the Cochin Shipyard last week. Each vessel can carry four trucks weighing 10 tonnes, 12 cars and 50 passengers. The double-end ro-ro vessels will help the faster movement of vehicles as both ends serve as exit and entry points. It will also reduce congestion and the waiting time at jetties.
