KOCHI: As Kochi Corporation begins preparations for the launch of roll-on roll-off (RO-RO) vessel on the Vypeen-Fort Kochi ferry route, the Fort-Vypeen People’s Collective on Thursday asked the Corporation not to authorise any private agency to run the jhankar service.
In a meeting held with Mayor Soumini Jain here, the people’s forum has asked the Corporation to run the RO-RO on its own or entrust the task with government agencies such as KINCO or Kerala State Water Transport Department.
Other demands of the forum include 24-hour service for the RO-RO from 6 am to 10 pm with a gap of 10 minutes, and another service from 10 pm to 6 am at every 20-minute interval (need only one RO-RO). The forum also asked the Corporation to take steps to build one more jhankar for the route.
The petition signed by Majnu Komath, chairman of the forum, and Johny Vypeen, convener, said the Corporation could, simultaneously, stop the boat service on the route as the RO-ROs have facilities for passengers.
“If the boat services are stopped, the Corporation can save `5 lakh. This will allow the Corporation to reduce the charges for vehicles on the RO-ROs,” the petition said.
The Corporation council meeting scheduled for Friday is likely to discuss the issue.