Kochi Corpn. mulls introducing hybrid ro-ro ferry on Vypeen-Fort Kochi route to curb noise pollution

Heeding public demand for noise-pollution-free travel in the Vypeen-Fort Kochi corridor, the Kochi Municipal Corporation is considering introducing a hybrid double-decker roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) ferry to transport passengers and vehicles along the stretch.

The move comes in the wake of alleged complaints about discernible and disturbing levels of noise pollution caused by the three diesel-run ro-ro ferries in the once-silent Fort Kochi heritage tourism zone and Vypeen. The third diesel-run ro-ro ferry, built by Cochin Shipyard, joined the fleet on July 12.

Mayor V.K. Minimol said the Kochi Corporation was making efforts to secure part funding from the Urban Challenge Fund of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for a hybrid, eco-friendly ro-ro ferry capable of carrying up to 50 cars at a time along the passenger-dense corridor.

“Municipal bonds would be floated to source 50% of the project cost. For now, ‘noise correction’ would be carried out on the two older ro-ro ferries that are due for dry-docking works worth ₹5 crore. During this exhaustive repair process, measures will be taken to reduce noise and improve the cooling of their engines, which tend to heat up quickly,” she said.

Stating that the Corporation could ill afford to spend such large amounts on repairs, she said a shift to hybrid, non-polluting ferries that rely more on electric power would entail lower operation and maintenance costs.

It is high time the stakeholders concerned ensured that modern solar-electric or electric motor-powered ro-ro ferries were introduced on the corridor, considering that tens of thousands of discerning tourists from India and abroad visit the Fort Kochi beach and its heritage streets, said Jose Dominic, a hotelier who owns a heritage hotel in Fort Kochi.

“Over the past decade, the diesel-run vessels have been hampering the calm backwater and beach experience that tourists seek. This has also been affecting the ride quality of passengers and the quality of the environment in Fort Kochi, Vypeen, and along the route. Kochi should not miss out on eco-friendly solutions to the noise and air pollution caused by such fossil fuel-run ferries,” he said.

Eco-friendly mobility solutions are gaining traction worldwide, and the electric-hybrid Kochi Water Metro ferries, which cause no noise or air pollution, are an example, said Sajan John, Chief Operating Officer of Kochi Water Metro Limited. Electric ro-ro ferries, too, are becoming increasingly popular, and there is no reason for Kochi to miss the bus, he added.