Often looked down upon for its largely rickety fleet of steel and wooden ferries, the Kerala State Water Transport Department (SWTD) is set to roll out over a dozen fast and modern vessels. The Department is making a conscious effort to change its image and wants to replace the ageing fleet to ensure quality service to commuters while not hiking the existing fares. All the proposed vessels will adhere to safety norms fixed by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). Care would also be given to aesthetics, said SWTD Director Shaji V. Nair.
The development comes even as Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) is all set to launch its first lot of hi-tech ferries in Greater Kochi region by 2018-end under the ₹819-crore Water Metro project.
Catamaran ferries
Seven catamaran-type, twin engine ferries, each costing approximately ₹1.80 crore are under construction at two private boat yards, for operation in Kochi, where commuters have been complaining of ill-maintained boats and inadequate number of services.
“Each ferry can carry up to 110 passengers and can attain speed of up to 10 knots (18 km per hour), which is over double the speed of existing ferries. Considering that steel boats rust quickly, the new vessels will be made of fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) which needs lesser maintenance. This will ensure lesser weight, and thus, more speed and fuel efficiency. The vessels will be rolled out in a year,” said Mr. Nair.
Vaikom-Ernakulam ferry
The ₹1.90 crore Vaikom-Ernakulam ferry is in the advanced stage of construction and is expected to be ready by October. Its air-conditioned cabin can accommodate 50 commuters, while 70 people can sit in the non-AC area. The Department also intends to roll out a water taxi each in Ernakulam and Alappuzha. They can carry up to 15 people and is mainly intended at tourists who can rent them for an hour or so.
Five single-hull ferries, each costing over ₹1 crore, have also been envisaged for operation in Alappuzha that has calmer waters. The SWTD plans to launch them by 2018-end. A decision is awaited on whether to entrust their construction to private or public sector yards.
Solar ferry
The SWTD is basking in the glory of rolling out India’s first solar ferry earlier this year. “Its operational cost is minimal. The daily energy expense is just ₹150 as compared to around ₹8,000 for a diesel-run ferry. This alone ensures saving of up to ₹25 lakh per vessel. Zero pollution, higher comfort levels and adherence to IRS standards are the other unique features of the solar ferry,” said Mr. Nair.
The head of the Ship Technology Department of Cochin University of Science and Technology, K. Sivaprasad, has called upon the SWTD to include more solar ferries in its fleet, considering its manifold advantages. He welcomed the construction of ferries as per IRS standards.