Stalled ferry services to two key jetties hit tourists, commuters

The State Water Transport Department (SWTD) announced that ferry operations to the Mattancherry and Kamalakadavu jetties are still on hold, affecting both tourists and regular commuters in the region. SWTD attributes the stalemate at Mattancherry to unfinished dredging work on the jetty premises, while the Kamalakadavu jetty, although structurally ready with its pontoon and related installations, has not been transferred to the department by the Cochin Shipyard Management Limited (CSML).

According to the department, the dredging work required to clear the approach channel at Mattancherry remains pending, preventing vessels from safely docking. At Kamalakadavu, the physical infrastructure—including the pontoon and ancillary facilities—has been completed, but the formal handover from CSML has not occurred, leaving the jetty non‑operational. No definitive timeline has been provided for either dredging completion or the handover, leaving the resumption of services uncertain.

Both jetties serve as critical nodes for waterborne transport in the Kochi metropolitan area, linking popular tourist spots and residential neighborhoods. Their prolonged closure has strained alternative transport modes, inconvenienced daily commuters, and potentially reduced tourist footfall, which could impact local businesses that rely on ferry traffic. The delays underscore broader challenges in coordinating infrastructure projects and operational handovers within Kerala’s transport ecosystem.