Ro-Ro vessels to set sail on Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation’s wings

KOCHI: It’s final. The Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) will indeed operate the two newly built Roll-on Roll-off(Ro-Ro Vessels) on the Fort Kochi-Vypeen route. The all-clear given by the Corporation council on Wednesday comes at the end of wide ranging discussions for zeroing in on a operator fitting the civic body’s mandate.

Putting an end to the uncertainty which prevailed over the operation of the Ro-Ro Vessels between Fort Kochi and Vypeen route, the Corporation council has finally decided to entrust the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) with the operation of ferry service.

Though the council witnessed noisy scenes both the ruling and the Opposition reached a consensus to entrust the KSINC  with operation of the Ro-Ro service  after the former agreed to bring in some amendments to the existing proposals submitted by the KSINC for running the service.

Despite the KSINC demanding  profit sharing on a 70:30 basis, as a result of the Corporation’s hard bargain, it has been fixed at 50: 50 to enable it to make a decent profit from the service. “The government agency was chosen to avoid charges of graft. Since it is a government agency everything will be above board,”  Mayor Soumini Jain told the council.

The Corporation is expected to roll out the service in Western Kochi on April 20 since the Chief Minister has a few engagements lined up on the same day.  “We are  awaiting the council’s nod for entrusting the KSINC with the ferry service. Since this is the first time in the country, a civic body owns two Ro-Ro vessels, the CM’s presence is inevitable. We are planning to extend a formal invite to the CM at his office.  The plan now is to commence the Ro-Ro service as a ‘ Kaineetam’ for Kochiites,” said the Mayor.

Even as the KSINC  laid down several conditions for operating the service, the Corporation has refused to accept all of them. “The Corporation is going to roll out the Ro-Ro vessels as  part of delivering a ‘service’ to the public. But the hike in the  fares proposed by the KSINC  is unacceptable. If it is a service it should be offered like one,” Leader of Opposition K J Antony  told the council.

However, the Corporation failed to clear the apprehensions raised by the Opposition councillors over the formation of the Special Purpose Vehicle(SPV).

Replying to the Opposition charge, the Mayor said the complicated nature of constituting the SPV has led to the delay in the government granting its nod. An all-party delegation will call on the Additional Chief Secretary for getting the approval,” she said.