The New Indian Express 06.08.2010
'Water transport answer to travel woes'
However, we are not making enough use of this transport facility. The city's transportation problem will be solved to an extent through water transport, he added.
Discussions are on to recognise the project as a Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) project, Thettayil said.
If the Kochi Corporation submits a project, then it will be submitted to the Centre with the State Government's recommendation.
About the decision to replace the fibre boats, the minister said the boats were removed as it was learnt that it was not practical to ply them in Kochi.
Once the new boats start service there will boats every 15 minutes from Fort Kochi to Ernakulam.
Plans are afoot to introduce more boats and 16 boats are already being built.
Thettayil said passengers from West Kochi need not worry about rerouting the KSRTC buses via Vyttila, as there would be buses on the EdakochiThoppumpadi route at night, even if the services are rescheduled.
Once the Goshree bus service is introduced, transportation to this area will be improve further, Thettayil said. After inaugurating the service, Fisheries Minister S Sharma said the port authorities had been asked to seek scientific solutions and adopt appropriate measures to prevent coastal erosion in the Fort Kochi Chellanam coastal belt.
