Ro-Ro vessel is almost ready, now wait for jetties

Kochi: The first Ro-Ro vessel is set to be delivered anytime soon, but the Kochi corporation and the Cochin Port Trust (CPT) have started the process of constructing new jetties for them at Vypeen and Fort Kochi only now. The jetties will only be ready in December.
The construction of the jetties at a cost of Rs 5.66 cr is being carried out by KVJ Contractors, who secured the tender called by CPT in February.
Apart from Ro-Ro jetties planned in both Vypeen and Fort Kochi (close to jankar jetties), approach roads, landing area, walkways and mooring points have to be constructed for the project. "The process has already begun and the actual work will begin in a weeks' time. Since the construction of the first Ro-Ro vessel is almost complete and the work on the second has already begun, the construction of the jetty is a priority. We have already started removing shops and structures from the alloted space in Fort Kochi,"said town planning chairperson and Fort Kochi councillor Shiny Mathew.
The site chosen for the jetty in Fort Kochi has run into a controversy since a 100-year-old tree would have to be cut down to enable its construction. Also the existing jankar jetties would have to be relocated.