KOCHI: The Vypeen-Fort Kochi Ferry Passengers Association has shot off a letter to the Kochi corporation, alleging that a “preferential” treatment is being meted out to government officials to get on Ro-Ro (Roll-On Roll Off) vessels in the Fort Kochi-Vypeen section during the morning and evening peak hours. Commuters have also highlighted the need for more vessels to better handle passenger influx, contradicting the ‘claim’ of the corporation before the High Court that only a smaller number of passengers use the facility.
“Government employees working in various departments are being extended preferential treatment. Those carrying ID cards are allowed to violate the queue and travel ticket-less, which results in the common people, who stand in a queue, waiting for long hours before they can hop on to the vessel,” the letter addressed to the corporation secretary read.
While stating that a heavy rush is being experienced round-the-clock, the association rued that ordinary passengers are affected by the “preferential treatment” as they often couldn’t catch the first Ro-Ro upon arrival at the boat jetty. “All commuters value time and need to reach their respective places of work on time.
Being in a government service doesn’t make one eligible for the ‘emergency service’. Many officials arrive in their private vehicles during the peak hours, and jump the queue.
The same is against the principles of equality and social justice as ensured in the Constitution. When we contacted the Kerala Shipping & Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC), which is operating the Ro-Ro service, they said they are giving special treatment to the government employees as the same was approved by the corporation,” said Francis Chammany, president of the association.
The Fort Kochi-Vypeen Ro-Ro ferry is much sought after as it saves a significant amount of time compared to travelling by road.
While the ferry covers the distance in 10 minutes, the road journey, extending 18km, usually takes around an hour.
Earlier, the corporation, while challenging a single bench interim order directing it to set up a temporary waiting shed at Fort Kochi, argued that the same would be a laborious process as it requires the approval of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Authority. It also said in the appeal petition that very few passengers use the Ro-Ro services.
“A long queue of commuters can be witnessed at any time, not to mention the peak hours. Come rain or shine, passengers, especially women, have to wait in the open for long hours. They built an open space nearby, by spending crores, but couldn’t construct a waiting shed. Also, the ticket counter still functions from a low-height structure, though the CSML constructed a ticket counter cabin nearby,” said K J Sohan, former Kochi mayor and a Fort Kochi native.