KOCHI: Uncertainty looms over the launch of the much – hyped RO-RO vessels on the Fort Kochi – Vypeen route and as a result, the vessels are idling at Cochin Shipyard. Though the detailed project report has specified a mooring facility at Fort Kochi, construction of the landing terminal has almost been completed without the facility. Due to its short-sighted planning, the City Corporation is now struggling to find a way out to resolve the stalemate and launch the service. A recent all party meeting convened by Mayor Soumini Jain to take a final decision on the mooring facility failed to reach a consensus.
The existing jhunkar service has to be stopped at least for four months to facilitate construction of the mooring facility. “Since stopping the jhunkar service is not feasible, the plan is to construct mooring poles 15 metres away from the vessel landing terminal,” said Ms. Jain. But the proposal is unlikely to be cleared by Navy authorities as the area is too close to the shipping channel. The RO-RO terminals are being constructed by the Cochin Port Trust at a cost of Rs 7.15 crore.
Meanwhile, the Opposition is up in arms against the unscientific planning which will delay the project indefinitely. “The Corporation has already handed over the funds to Cochin Port Trust though construction of landing terminals is not yet complete. Keeping the vessels which were built spending Rs 7.6 crore idle for long will damage its mechanical parts,” said V.P Chandran, CPM councillor. The shipyard has constructed two vessels for the local body, each weighing about 150 tonnes, which can carry another 60 tonnes including commuters and vehicles.
