Boat services to and from Mattancherry remain cut off for more than two months

Kochi: Though services to and from Mattancherry state water transport department (SWTD) boat jetty connecting Kochi city were completely stalled for around two months, the authorities are still unable to resume the services. The boats can't be operated through the backwaters due to silt sedimentation. The authorities are unable to carry out the dredging in the navigation channel. Following the 2018 floods, SWTD stopped services from Mattancherry. Later, SWTD didn't resume services, citing that the silt sedimentation made ferry services difficult. According to SWTD officials, irrigation department was assigned dredging. "Irrigation department failed to carry out the work. We are planning to resume the services once the monsoon starts. During the monsoon, the water level will rise above the silt," an official with Mattancherry boat jetty said. "The passengers are forced to depend on water Metro services. While SWTD boat's fare to Ernakulam from Mattancherry is Rs 7, for water Metro it is Rs 40. So, commoners and workers who commute between Mattancherry and Ernakulam have to pay high rates for their travel," said Arafath Naser, a shop owner in Jew Town in Mattancherry.