KOCHI: Even as stringent crowd-control measures are being put in place for New Year’s Eve festivities in Fort Kochi, there is growing clamour for one-way, night-boat services from the heritage town, to facilitate visitors, especially families, returning from the celebrations.
“While we welcome the restrictions announced by authorities, we request the operation of one-way boat services from Fort Kochi to Ernakulam till at least 10 pm on December 31. This way, those who want to return will have an option. As of now, on Tuesday, there is no means to return to the mainland after 7 pm. Many families may opt to give the late-night celebrations a miss,” said Francis Chammany, president of the Vypeen-Fort Kochi Passengers Association.
“Moreover, there is currently only a single Ro-Ro service to Vypeen after 8 pm. With the tourist season in full swing, this limits the travel options of visitors. We call upon authorities to deploy both Ro-Ro vessels till at least 11 pm for the entire length of the tourist season,” he added.
Last week, the assistant commissioner of Mattancherry issued a directive to government agencies such as state water transport department (SWTD), Kochi Water Metro Ltd (KWML) and Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) not to operate any service after 7 pm on December 31. As per the order, SWTD boat operations will only resume at 6 am on January 1.
“We’ve readied seven boats for chain services to both Fort Kochi and Customs Boat jetty to facilitate the return of revellers. A rescue boat will also be on standby,” a senior SWTD official said.
“Water Metro services to Fort Kochi will be terminated by 7 pm. But we’ll continue to operate services on the Vypeen-High Court sector based on commuter demand. But we expect no passenger traffic from Vypeen till 12.30 am on January 1 as the Fort Kochi-Vypeen Ro-Ro service will resume services only by 12 midnight. Once visitors start reaching Vypeen, we’ll operate continuous services,” said Sajan P John, chief operating officer, KWML.
On Tuesday, the last vehicle-bearing Vypeen-Fort Kochi Ro-Ro service will be at 4 pm, while passengers will be ferried till 7 pm. However, both the Ro-Ro vessels will be deployed after 12 pm till the time as instructed by police, a senior KSINC official said.