CPT mulls alternative routes for Nefertiti'

Kochi: The hopes of Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) Ltd to run its mini cruiseliner  Nefertiti from Kochi this month-end are resurrecting again with the Cochin Port Trust (CPT) exploring possibilities of allowing it to run from an alternative location. Nefertiti comes after the success of two small cruise boats Sagararani-I and II by KSINC.

The CPT had earlier informed KSINC that it will have to shell out Rs 88,000 per day to the port to operate Nefertiti which has four-star entertainment facilities in three decks and can carry up to 200 people at a time. However, KSINC had found this economically unviable as it had planned to operate the vessel to Kozhikode and outer sea in Kochi for one day cruises mainly. The KSINC officials informed CPT chairman that their trips won’t generate huge revenues earned by big cruise liners so as to give the same charges to CPT and hence slapping the same charges on Nefertiti was unjustified. They said that the vessel was being floated to give a push to Kerala tourism and being a government agency, KSINC was expecting CPT help.

The CPT told KSNIC that the rates were fixed by Government of India a year ago and are applicable to all vessels and the CPT doesn’t have any say in it. Following this stand, the KSINC was mulling taking the ship to Beypore port in Kozhikode to operate it there. The Beypore port is owned Kerala Government and State Government would give Nefertiti concessions also. However, KSINC officials are keen on operating it from Kochi itself as, according to them, it was made with Kochi in mind. Hence they approached the CPT chairman again.

In the latest development, it is understood that the CPT has decided to explore the option of docking the vessel at either the Puthuvype barge jetty or Willingdon Island jetty instead of the Ernakulam Wharf where it was initially proposed.

Sources said that Ernakulam Wharf invites higher charges whereas the other two jetties will have lower charges. KSINC seems to be happy about this proposal as the tourists need not face CISF screening also at any of the two optional locations. CPT is expected to get back to KSINC soon on this.