The civic authorities are working on a proposal to hire a boat to be operated in the Vypeen-Fort Kochi sector as a standby for the existing vessel.
The demand was raised by local residents, passengers, and the sub-committee appointed by the Kochi Corporation to review the existing boat service. The steering committee of the civic body too had recently deliberated on the need for a spare vessel.
The authorities considered obtaining a new vessel in view of a possible turnout of visitors at Fort Kochi during the festival season.
At present, only one vessel is available, the recently commissioned Fort Queen . For the record, the corporation had suspended the jankar service for the construction of a mooring facility for the roll-on roll-off vessel. A passenger boat named Pappy, hired by the civic body, was also pulled out of service after Fort Queen was rolled out.
Memories of a ferry accident that claimed 11 lives two years ago also haunt the civic authorities. They apprehend that vessels will be overcrowded during festival and tourist seasons.
The civic administrators feel that a vessel shall be hired till the jankar or roll-on roll-off service becomes operational. A section of civic administrators suggested that the vessel be operated along with Fort Queen .
However, operating an additional service will put financial burden on the civic body. Still it shall be considered as a service to the general public and not a profit-making venture, argued some civic officials.
The Kochi Corporation Council, which will meet on Tuesday, will discuss the proposal.
