Calls to revive Vyttila–Kakkanad Boat service gain momentum

 Kochi: Calls to restore the State Water Transport Department’s (SWTD) Vyttila–Kakkanad boat service, which served the residents of Irumpanam, Thuthiyoor, Chalikkavattom, and Arattukadavu, are once again gaining momentum.

The service, which operated a daily route from Vyttila to Chittethukara, had stopovers at Irumpanam, Parakkadavu Quarry, Thuthiyoor, Vettuveli, Eroor Kappattikkavu, and Chalikkavattom Arattukadavu. It was a lifeline for hundreds of commuters, including students, who relied on it for a convenient trip to Vyttila and back. The service was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not resumed since.

Although a Water Metro now runs between Vyttila and Kakkanad, residents of these localities say they have not benefited because the route does not include their stops. Commuters from Irumpanam and Thuthiyoor are forced to take two buses to reach Vyttila, while those from Arattukadavu have to walk nearly two kilometres to access the bypass and catch a bus.

“We have approached the authorities several times to restore the boat service, which would help us reach Vyttila while avoiding the city’s traffic gridlocks, but there has been no positive response,” said A R Padmadas, councillor of the 47th division, which includes Arattukadavu.

The SWTD has stated that since the Water Metro operates along this route, it cannot deploy an additional boat. The department also pointed out that the original service had been introduced to bypass traffic jams caused by Metro Rail construction on the Tripunithura–Aluva stretch. After resuming post-lockdown, the service reportedly incurred losses on all the three months it operated.

When the service was first launched, metro feeder buses connected the Chittethukara boat jetty to the Infopark area, boosting passenger numbers. However, with the withdrawal of feeder buses, ridership fell. Limited access to transport from boat stopovers also contributed to the decline.

Authorities said the service was eventually discontinued when daily revenue dropped below Rs 500. Though the jetties at these stops still exist, Water Metro vessels cannot dock there as they are not floating jetties. Residents, however, insist that these issues be resolved to end their daily commuting struggles.