Committed to national waterway, says CM

“The government is committed to materialising the national waterway in the State,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.

He was launching a rescue-cum-ambulance boat service of the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) at Panavally, near here, on Monday.

“We have 1,700 km of waterways in the State. The government has constituted a special purpose vehicle to create a national waterway. It will boost the commercial prospects of central Kerala,” the Chief Minister said.

According to officials, the high-speed rescue-cum-ambulance boat (rescue and dive boat) will serve multiple purposes. The boat can be used for rescue missions in case of emergency in the waterbodies. Further, it will serve as a medical rescue boat for people living on islands. The water ambulance will help people with emergency medical conditions to be shifted to a hospital without delay.

Officials said there would be a dedicated mobile number and the boat would rush to the spot upon getting alerts. The service would be made available 24x7.

22 passengers

Besides the crew, each vessel can accommodate 22 passengers. The boats have a design speed of 12 knots instead of the normal boat speed of six knots. The boats have been fitted with all basic equipment for rescue missions along with medical facilities.

The SWTD will launch four such boats which will be stationed at Alappuzha, Muhamma, Ernakulam, and Vaikom.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated a boat station of the SWTD at Panavally. Transport Minister A.K. Saseendran presided over the function.