It was a hit in intial months
The graph of the passenger-cum-tourist boat service operating under the ‘See Kuttanad' project, a big hit in the initial months, has come down due to the influence of private boat service provides. (Photo: DC)
ALAPPUZHA: With the Government introducing the Hop-on, Hop-off water taxis, the “See Kuttanad” project of the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) begun for tourist trips from Alappuzha to Kuttanad in June 2012, has little takers.
The graph of the passenger-cum-tourist boat service operating under the ‘See Kuttanad’ project, a big hit in the initial months, has come down due to the influence of private boat service provides.
An official of SWTD said there were hardly any takers for the service. The department used to operate 12 trips (to Kainakary in Kuttanad and back) daily. But this has been cut down as there are only a few tourists now.
“The average daily collection was around Rs 10,000 initially. But, even now it generates least Rs 1,000 per day”, the official said. No online enquiries are coming in either. The 90-seater boat has a mini-eatery, video facility and lower and upper deck seating arrangements. The ticket rate for tourists is Rs 50 per person.
The service was also seen as a solution to the travel woes of the people of Kuttanad, who had to wait for two hours or more to get a boat. The staff includes a driver, a srank, a boat master (equivalent to conductor in bus) and two lascars. Tea and refreshment are provided on the upper deck.
Shaji V.Nair, Director, Water Transport Department, maintained that it was only during the season that tourists came in for the service. “It’s true that for the last few months there have hardly been any takers for the service”, he said.
C.Pradeep, Secretary, District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) said the service had become unpopular. It was the private boat agents who had ruined the great service. There used to be a lot of enquiries about the service. But now, there were hardly any, he said.
( Source : dc )
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