The waterways that link mainland Kochi with islands on the north-western side of the city hold tremendous potential for regular tourist boat cruises.
Apart from providing employment to boat crew, the cruises would also revive the economy of the islands and coastal areas where the boats call for berthing and food. The prominent locales along the route include Mulavukad, Kadamakudy, Varapuzha, Eloor and Cheranallore. Even houseboats can ply in the region since their proliferation in Alappuzha and Kumarakom (which together have around 500 of them) is posing environmental hazards and also giving rise to unhealthy competition among boat operators.
“Most tourists, especially those visiting Kochi from foreign lands prefer to take a boat ride through the silent waterways passing by these locales, than through water bodies dotted by buildings on either side,” said Ebenser Chullikkat, secretary of the Ernakulam Private Boat Owners’ Association. As for the residents of the islands, they would be encouraged to begin homestays and eateries.
The association has given a proposal to the Cheranallore panchayat, seeking help to begin tourist and houseboat services. Local bodies can help by establishing or renovating boat jetties. “Few tourists know that water bodies around Kochi are as alluring as those in Alappuzha,” he said. The waterways are idle most of the time now, but for the occasional barge ferrying bulk cargo.
For familiarising boat crew about the differing depth of the waterways, Mr. Chullikkat wants the government to publish a navigable chart with colour code, to depict the depth in different areas. To prevent waste being dumped into the waterways, care must be taken to ensure that only houseboats with septic tanks on board are permitted along the route, he said.
The Cheranallore ferry jetty, located near the junction where the NH 17 crosses the new Container Terminal Road, is ideal to be developed as a berthing place for boats. The jetty is located mid-way on the proposed Seaport-Airport waterway. Marine walkways could be built near boat jetties along the route, further attracting visitors.
The proposal for boat service is under consideration and the project details would be forwarded to the Irrigation and Tourism departments, said K. K. Suresh Babu, president of Cheranallore panchayat.
