Vypeen-Fort Kochi Ro-Ro service: Mayor assures priority for SPV formation

Kochi: Corporation would give priority to the formation of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for streamlining the operations of Vypeen Ro-Ro services, mayor V K Minimol said on Friday."The SPV formation to manage the services will be prioritised for discussion once the new govt takes charge," she told the members of Vypeen-Fort Kochi Passengers Association, who called on her to discuss the issue. During the talk, the association demanded absolute clarity regarding the operational framework of the services before commissioning of the much-anticipated third Ro-Ro vessel. "The mayor assured that steps will be taken to streamline the Ro-Ro operations and to increase efficiency. Currently, the services are being operated without following any fixed schedule, and the cancellation of trips is frequent," said Francis Chammany, president of the association. Responding to another demand for financial transparency, the mayor confirmed that Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC), which is entrusted with the service operation, was directed to submit a detailed statement of income and expenditure. Any discrepancies found in these accounts will be thoroughly investigated and subsequently reported to state govt, she added. One of the primary logistical hurdles discussed was congestion at Vypeen jetty. Currently, when a Ro-Ro vessel is docked, passenger boats are unable to berth. To resolve this, the authorities are exploring the construction of a new boat jetty designed to accommodate Ro-Ro vessels and passenger boats simultaneously, ensuring a seamless flow of traffic. Furthermore, the meeting explored the feasibility of introducing new service routes, specifically connecting Goshree Junction, Vypeen and Fort Kochi. "This expansion aims to reduce the travel burden on daily commuters and improve regional connectivity," Chammany said.