Call to reintroduce ferry in Fort Kochi-Vypeen corridor gathers momentum

Due to the closure of the Kundannoor bridge in Kochi, commuters are facing heavy traffic congestion on roads leading to West Kochi. With one ro-ro ferry withdrawn from service, the demand to reintroduce Fort Queen, a 150-passenger capacity ferry owned by the Kochi Corporation, has increased. The Vypeen-Fort Kochi Passengers’ Association is urging for the deployment of Fort Queen on the route to ease the commuting woes. However, the Corporation cites the need for extensive repairs on the vessel as a reason for its withdrawal from service. In the meantime, the Maradu municipality is seeking boat operators to ply ferries in the Netoor-Thevara corridor to assist affected commuters.