Demand mounts to operate two Ro-Ro vessels from 6am to 10pm

  • | Friday | 15th February, 2019

KOCHI: The Fort Vypeen Janakeeya Kootayima (FVJK), a public collective, has demanded to start operating the two Ro-Ro vessels in Kochi. On April 28, 2018, KSINC had promised that both Ro-Ro vessels would operate within 10 days. Thus one of the Ro-Ro vessels started to operate between 6.30am and 9.30pm. Now, it is possible to operate two vessels from 6am to 10pm. The local people want the Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) to operate these vessels from 6am to 10pm between Fort Kochi and Vypeen.Services of three helmsmen have been made available from February 9.

KOCHI: The Fort Vypeen Janakeeya Kootayima (FVJK), a public collective, has demanded to start operating the two Ro-Ro vessels in Kochi. The local people want the Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) to operate these vessels from 6am to 10pm between Fort Kochi and Vypeen.Services of three helmsmen have been made available from February 9. Hence, it is possible for KSINC to operate two vessels. FVJK chairman Majnu Komath said, "In every 10 minutes, there should be to-and-fro services between Fort Kochi and Vypeen. On April 28, 2018, KSINC had promised that both Ro-Ro vessels would operate within 10 days. Though 10 months have passed, the navigation corporation failed to deliver on their promise."KSINC maintained that they were unable to operate two services as they couldn't get qualified helmsmen who can manoeuvre the vessels across the busy shipping channel. Following this, FVJK staged a public protest demanding authorities to train personnel to operate the vessels.Even though chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched the vessel on April 28, 2018, the services were stopped on the same day. By appointing a trained helmsman, the navigation corporation was able to resume services on May 14, 2018. FVJK was again forced to launch protests and agitations as the authorities did not take interest in appointing more trained personnel to operate two vessels. As a result, the authorities appointed one more helmsman for operating the vessels. Thus one of the Ro-Ro vessels started to operate between 6.30am and 9.30pm. But, the operation of the second vessel is limited between 2pm and 8pm.Long queue of vehicles can be seen at Fort Kochi and Vypeen to enter the vessels. As long queues are formed at Fort Kochi and Vypeen, motorists are forced to take their vehicles through the city roads."It is under these circumstances that KSINC appointed a third helmsman to operate the vessels. Now, it is possible to operate two vessels from 6am to 10pm. This measure is important to address traffic congestion in Kochi city and nearby areas," said Johny Vypeen, convenor, FVJK.

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