KOCHI: With the state-run Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) continuing its alleged evasive tactics in addressing the issue of commencing the Roll-on; Roll-off(Ro-Ro) service's full operations, the Corporation is now mulling entrusting the service to some other agency.
The civic body's move was announced by Mayor Soumini Jain during the council meeting held on Monday. According to the Mayor, the KSINC had reacted in an irresponsible manner to the Corporation's letter seeking clarity on resuming the service of Sethu Sagar II, the second Ro-Ro vessel which has been rendered idle.
" Though the Corporation secretary wrote to the KSINC asking them to inform the civic body of the scheduled date of launching the Ro-Ro's full service, they haven't responded to it so far. They are simply clueless. The KSINC representatives even skipped the stakeholders' meeting convened to discuss the problems encountered in making the service fully functional," Jain said in a frontal attack on KSINC.
The KSINC partially resolved the travel woes of western Kochites on May 13 by resuming the service of a single Ro-Ro vessel on the Fort Kochi- Vypeen route for eight hours daily. Though they sought three weeks for resuming the full operation, the agency has failed to deliver on the promise.
" The KSINC has failed to find a master( Skipper) for operating the Ro-Ro vessel. They can only apply for the KIV licence, Cochin Port licence and insurance only if they have a master This is really a serious issue as they are violating the MoU inked with the Corporation," said the Mayor.
Though the Opposition LDF came down on the Corporation alleging the 'unscientific' construction of the mooring facility is holding up the Ro-Ro's full service, the Mayor rubbished the claim. " If the KSINC's new master can operate the vessel for over eight hours without any issues, then how come the mooring will turn out to be a major issue? The unavailability of the Skipper is the major issue and not the mooring," Jain said.
Nonetheless, the Mayor directed the Superintending Engineer to submit a report at the next council meeting on the likely measures to be initiated to resolve the issue. " Already we have decided to approach the Chief Secretary for probing the allegation. But prior to that, the SE will prepare a report after inspecting the place," the Mayor said.
However, the Opposition stuck to the stand saying the Corporation is solely responsible for delaying the RO-RO's full operation. " Already we warned the Corporation of the unscientific construction of the mooring facility. How can the two Ro-Ro vessels and passenger ferry anchored at the same time in the jetties? They wasted over Rs four crore by constructing the mooring facility unscientifically," said K J Antony, Opposition leader. The council also gave the nod to start the revival of Thevara-Perandoor canal under the AMRUT scheme.