Almost three years after being withdrawn from service and left to rust, the Kochi Corporation has initiated steps to revive its passenger boat Fort Queen by placing before the council an estimate of ₹27.29 lakh for its long-overdue dry dock.

The estimate, submitted by Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation Ltd. (KSINC), will be placed before the council for approval at its next meeting. The boat, which KSINC operated on the Vypeen–Fort Kochi route, suspended services on June 30, 2023, by which time ro-ro vessels had been introduced on the route, rendering the boat service largely unviable. Since then, it has remained idle at the KSINC jetty.

“We plan to reintroduce the boat service as an option for passenger movement during the break between ro-ro services. We are also exploring the possibility of replacing KSINC as the operator of both ro-ro and boat services, preferably with Kochi Metro Rail Limited,” said Mayor V.K. Minimol.

While the Corporation claims the service was suspended following expiry of the licence, KSINC sources countered that it was withdrawn when dry dock became overdue, raising safety concerns, and due to viability issues. “Even when a single ro-ro was operating, the boat service generated a daily collection of barely ₹5,000, incurring losses when labour and fuel costs were factored in. Besides, logistically it is not possible to operate the boat service from the Vypeen jetty alongside two ro-ro vessels,” said KSINC sources. KSINC also claimed the Corporation owed it around ₹80 lakh towards a previous dry dock, operational expenses, and resultant losses.

With the Corporation set to add a third ro-ro to its fleet, questions remain over whether the boat can be restored on the same route. KSINC sources argue it is not feasible and suggest deploying the vessel on another route. The council meeting will also explore the scope of new routes, along with renewing the boat’s agreement and insurance.

The Vypeen–Fort Kochi Passengers Association has demanded deployment of the boat on the Kalamukku–Vypeen–Fort Kochi route, citing Kalamukku’s rapid growth as a business hub. KSINC, however, points out the absence of a jetty in Kalamukku. “That can be overcome by constructing a jetty, even a temporary one, below the third Goshree Bridge. The old KSINC jetty in Vypeen, currently used by fishing boats, could also be utilised. The logistical shortcomings of the ro-ro jetty in accommodating boats could have been avoided had it been constructed with foresight,” said Francis Chammany, president of the association.

At a later stage, the service could even be extended to Thoppumpady by upgrading the network of jetties in Mattancherry. But this, he said, would be possible only after building sufficient patronage for the Kalamukku–Fort Kochi service initially.