The possibility of operating two roll-on roll-off (RoRo) vessels in the Fort Kochi-Vypeen sector from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. has brightened, with Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) recruiting a third driver, while a fourth driver is expected to join ranks by April-end.
Protest had been brewing against the Kochi Corporation which owns the vessels and KSINC which operates them, for not making optimal use of the vessels that ferry people and vehicles in the busy corridor, despite increasing demand due to the ongoing Kochi-Muziris Biennale and the peak tourist season during December-January.
The driver who will join service is the son of one of the veteran drivers who steer a RoRo in the the ‘risky corridor’ where there are severe undercurrents since the backwaters meet the sea there. Both of them had been driving tug boats in Dubai. At present, only one vessel operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The second one operates from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. KSINC officials said it was meant to minimise the possibility of the second vessel suspending service owing to mechanical issues.
The non-availability of the second vessel during the morning peak hours and after 8 p.m. often results in a huge queue of vehicles on either side to board the single operable vessel. A 150-seater ferry named Fort Queen that operates from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the stretch can carry only commuters.
In the meantime, Majnu Komath, chairman of Fort Vypeen Janakeeya Kootayma, has demanded that the corporation place orders with the Cochin Shipyard for a third RoRo vessel. This is crucial since it can be used as a spare ferry to step in if any vessel develops snag. “Our NGO had demanded this in a letter submitted to the Mayor in June 2017. A bigger vessel can do wonders. Steps must also be taken to procure adequate spares from abroad for the vessels since there is often delay associated with procuring them,” he said.
Mr. Komath added that the corporation could save ₹5 lakh per month if two RoRo vessels are operated from 6 a.m. to at least 10 p.m. since the 150-seater ferry that operates on the stretch could be withdrawn and diverted for operating on other routes.