Kochi Boat Services Halted Again as Dredging Dispute Leaves Commuters Stranded
In a frustrating turn of events for residents of Kochi, the state water transport department (SWTD) has once again suspended boat operations to Mattancherry, just months after resuming services following a six-year hiatus. The disruption, attributed to what locals call 'official apathy,' has left hundreds of daily commuters, including wage workers and students, in the lurch, prompting threats of protests unless authorities take swift action.
Renewed Hope Dashed by Bureaucratic Delays
Services had resumed in February 2025 after SWTD conducted dredging using a newly acquired silt-pusher machine from the corporation, bringing relief to the community. However, this respite was short-lived, as operations have been disrupted for the past two months due to ongoing issues with a larger dredging project. M M Abbas, president of the West Kochi Passengers Association, expressed the collective frustration, noting that the jetty was recently renovated at a cost of Rs 78 lakh, and the irrigation department initiated a Rs 4 crore project to dredge the navigation channel for smooth boat operation.
Contractor Dispute Halts Progress
According to Abbas, the dredging contractor has erected poles in the channel and left equipment at the jetty mouth, preventing boats from anchoring. This has effectively stalled the project, despite initial assurances from the irrigation department that the work would be completed within a week. A senior SWTD official pointed fingers at the irrigation department, stating that temporary dredging had allowed services to resume, but the larger project's mid-way halt and contractor obstruction have caused the current crisis.
Blame Game and Financial Constraints
When contacted, an assistant executive engineer from the irrigation department shifted blame to the contractor and delays from the Cochin Port Trust in renewing the dredger's license. The official cited financial constraints faced by the contractor, leading to limited machine deployment, and noted that the license renewal application is pending. While dredging is completed in two of three reaches, work near the boat jetty remains, which could be finished in one month if the contractor resumes.
Contractor Protests and Police Involvement
Sources reveal that the dredging contractor has also entered a protest mode after the irrigation department failed to provide initial instalments for the project expenses. In response, the contractor has filed a complaint with Mattancherry police and left machines at the jetty mouth to block SWTD boats, exacerbating the standoff. This multi-departmental conflict highlights systemic inefficiencies that continue to burden commuters, with residents now demanding accountability and immediate resumption of services to avoid further disruptions.
