Second Ro-Ro ferry set to begin service in Kochi from Monday

It follows demand from container lorry operators and others hit by rising fuel prices

The second roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) vessel of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), which was handed over to the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) for operation, is set to begin commercial service on the Bolgatty Island-Willingdon Island stretch in Kochi from Monday. It is in view of the rise in demand from operators of container lorries and other vehicles hit by skyrocketing fuel prices. “Smaller goods carriers and two-wheelers too have been relying on the single Ro-Ro service during the past few weeks. The demand is on the rise, and it peaked at 150 vehicles, including 18 two-wheelers and a car, on Friday. Hence, we decided to introduce the second vessel that was handed over by IWAI,” KSINC sources said. Passengers too can commute in the corridor in the Ro-Ro vessel, at ₹10. It is ₹30 for ferrying two-wheelers, ₹120 to ₹200 for cars / SUVs / cargo autorickshaws, ₹250-₹600 for mini tippers / trucks, and between ₹800 and ₹1,200 for other vehicles, including 40-feet container trailers.