Kochi Corpn. mulls hybrid ro-ro ferry for Vypeen–Fort Kochi amid noise complaints
A ro-ro ferry that operates in the Vypeen-Fort Kochi corridor. | Photo Credit: H. VIBHU Heeding public demand for noise-pollution-free travel on 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 …
