KOCHI: Travel woes of Fort Kochiites have been solved to some extent. The people are happy with the introduction of one more junkar in the Fort Kochi-Vypeen sector.Though the bidder was mandated to operate two junkars, only one junkar was serving the people of the area so far. As one of the two boats developed snags, the people were under tremendous strain to travel in packed boats.The introduction of the second junkar has come as a great relief, K J Antony, former councillor, said.This is helpful to those who bank on their vehicles to reach the city at short intervals.The second junkar has helped people transport their four-wheelers and two-wheelers to Vypeen from where they can reach the city without any road block, another resident said.But the absence of the second boat is putting commuters in distress. There are reports that its capacity is often exceeded.According to Stanley, president, Vadathazha Residents Association, the boats are overcrowded during peak hours. No one is bothered about the safety of the people. One cannot blame the public for overcrowding because everyone wants to reach his or her destination at the earliest.He said that the second junkar was operated after much hue and cry. Local councillor Antony Kureethara said that he had given a memorandum to the Mayor drawing his attention to the need for operating the second boat which had remained suspended for the last few months.A Corporation official entrusted with boat services confirmed that only one boat was operating on the route. He said that the boat was lying at the jetty and was being used as a spare boat.People depend on the Vypeen-Fort Kochi boat route to reach Aroor, Alappuzha, Edakochi, Palluruthy and other areas.According to K J Sohan, chairman, Town Planning Committee, efforts were being taken to introduce better facilities for people who commute between Fort Kochi and Vypeen. The Ro Ro junkar system is in the pipeline and would bring revolutionary changes, he said.
Comments
0 comment