Kochi: A major mishap was averted on Tuesday at Panavally island near Aroor here when the ramp winch of a new jhankar broke away just as it reached the shore on its maiden trip across the Vembanad lake. The incident happened at 8.20 am with many passengers including school students escaping without any injury as the ‘U’ clamp fell from the pole with great force. “It was coming with vehicles from the main land. Couldn’t imagine what would have happened if the ramp winch (steel ropes used to hold the ramp) had broken apart a few seconds earlier. The vehicles would have fallen into the water,” said Rajendra Babu, a resident.
The jhankar was built by KINCO at a cost of Rs 1.75 crore, allotted from local MLA’s fund, following the long term demand of Island natives. Boats and Jhankars are the only mode connecting the island with the main land. Though the Jhankar was initially rolled out in January , a technical fault in its ramp meant it cannot anchor at the Panavally boat jetty and idled for nearly six months. “It was after our protest that the Jhankar was repaired and the trial run conducted on Monday. It was the first commercial trip of the Jhankar today when the mishap happened. A probe should be ordered and action taken against those responsible for it,” said Somanadhan K R of Janakeeya Jhankar Trust, Panavally.
