KOCHI: The Kochi Corporation’s new ferry service slated to take off within a few weeks between Fort Kochi and Vypeen will have an additional security feature: CCTV cameras.The Corporation has decided to install high-end CCTV cameras on the passenger deck of the new ferry service, a first for a civic body in Kerala. The move towards improved surveillance comes after the Opposition councillors drove home the importance of monitoring the movement of the ferries citing the Fort Kochi boat tragedy of September 2015 which claimed 11 lives. The Corporation is planning to launch the CCTV project immediately after the new ferry service becomes operational.
“As per the plan, two high-end CCTV cameras will be installed on the passenger deck,” Mayor Soumini Jain told Express.“The Opposition had demanded the installation of CCTV in the ferry service. Since they had no objection to the proposal, the council has unanimously decided to go ahead with the project. The tender process for the project will be initiated within a few days.”
The Mayor said the project will help check untoward incidents on board. Sources said the Corporation has set aside Rs 1 lakh from its plan fund for the implementation of the project. “We have received several complaints from the public about the ferry service,” said Opposition councillor K J Antony.