KOCHI: As the number of people visiting West Kochi, especially Fort Kochi where the popular carnival and New Year’s eve celebrations will be held, is expected to swell in the coming days, the Kochi Corporation is planning to roll out a second ferry to service the Fort Kochi-Vypeen route.
“We have already issued a notification requesting the persons/establishments who are willing to conduct services in the Fort Kochi-Vypeen route from Saturday to contact the civic body,” said a statement issued by the Kochi Corporation secretary on Wednesday. “The owners of the boats can come directly to the Corporation office before 2 pm on Friday. However, they should own a boat that is in good shape and quality and is equipped with all the necessary equipment for conducting services.”
The delay in launching the much-awaited Ro-Ro services in the Vypeen-Fort Kochi route has made life miserable for many. Though the Ro-Ro boats were handed over to the city corporation, it was not able to launch the services due to a delay in constructing a new jetty. After protests from various quarters, the corporation entrusted the Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation with the operation of the ferry service. As a result, a 150-seater ferry, Fort Queen, is conducting services.“The crowd is likely to multiply during New Year’s eve as Fort Kochi will host the biggest attraction - the burning of Pappanji. So, we have decided to launch an additional service,” the statement added.