Though happy with the quantum of investment proposals in the Emerging Kerala meet, residents in the West Kochi region pointed out that it was unfortunate that no solid investment proposals emerged in the water transport sector during the meet.
The new boat service to the West Kochi region, which was announced by Minister for Power and Transport Aryadan Muhammed in July, has also not started yet.
The project ‘Kochi Cat’, envisaged two years ago to improve water transportation facilities in Ernakulam is also a non starter.
According to Jacob George, a consultant in the field of water transport the state has missed a great opportunity during the Emerging Kerala event as far as water transport is concerned.
“It is sad that no project proposals were showcased for the improvement of water transport in the Emerging Kerala meet.
I understand that countries like Malaysia and Singapore were keen to invest in water transport sector in the state.
If there were project proposals, we could have tapped investment to this sector,” he added.
He added that in other parts of the world, modern boats were used for water transport with silent engine, more speed and low emission.
This model has to be replicated here with private participation.
It is estimated that out of the 16 local bodies in the city, there is scope for water transport in as many as 12 local bodies.
Another advantage is that Kochi is the only city that is adjacent to three national water ways.
Two national highways, NH-17 and NH-47, can be connected through waterways.
Instead of giving much thrust to the mega projects, basic necessities like water transport should have been given priority in events like Emerging Kerala, said S Padmanabha Mallya, Secretary, West Kochi Passengers Association.
“If one boat service to the West Kochi region is cancelled around 1,000 passengers will be affected.
These incidents are frequent in the region, the association has been lobbying to solve this problem but nothing positive happened so far.
The new boat service announced by the minister to the west kochi region is also a non starter,” he added.
Presently, there are five boats in service to the West Kochi region, operating 25 trips daily.
There is no services for two hours in the afternoon to the region.
However, Dominic Presentation MLA told City Express that Emerging Kerala was not a suitable venue to showcase the public transport projects of the state.
He added that the unavailability of boat was the reason for not starting the new service.
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