The Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) may decide on operating regular passenger boats in the city-West Kochi and other sectors, based on the findings of a feasibility study and market survey being done by MBA students of Cusat.
The agency's Chairman and Managing Director Tom Jose, who is also the MD of Kochi Metro Rail Limited, said the feasibility report is expected in a couple of weeks. To a question whether the KSINC would use the 10 fibre boats that are lying unused after they were handed over to the State Water Transport Department (SWTD), he said that it is for the State government to decide.
Sources in the agency said the SWTD had refused to operate the boats citing ‘flimsy' grounds and ever since, the boats have been idling at the jetty. “Since they are fibre boats (the SWTD uses wooden and steel boats), our crew operated them for six months in the West Kochi sector. The boats conform to all Indian Registry of Shipping norms and are faster than the department's vessels.”
Overhaul needed
“The 10 vessels, each costing Rs 36 lakh, will need an overhaul if they are to resume service, since they have been idling for many years. Their class certificate too has to be renewed. Either this has to be done or new boats that are faster and more comfortable should be purchased using Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) funds. The Kochi Corporation seems open to the idea of handing over to us boats that can be purchased using the funds. We have the resources to operate and maintain them, especially so since we have a full-fledged repair yard in Thopumpady,” KSINC sources said.
Making the services commercially viable would depend on a host of factors, including the ticket rates. The SWTD charges nominal rates and their services are thus not financially viable. Fibre boats incur much lesser maintenance cost than their wooden and steel counterparts and last longer.
The agency has the wherewithal to operate the Fort Kochi-Vypin junkar too, since the existing services are often unable to meet the demand. Commuters would benefit if JNNURM funds are earmarked for this too.
At present, the KSINC operates tourist boats from Marine Drive. It also has a fleet of barges and cargo transporting vessels. Till a few years ago, it used to operate passenger ferries in Kochi.
