World · India Bureau
Kochi ferry services stalled, disrupting tourist travel plans
Two key jetties in Kochi remain non-operational, hampering water transport services and affecting tourist mobility across the port city. Authorities cite pending infrastructure work and administrative delays for the continued suspension.
LSN India ·
Tourist movement across Kochi has been disrupted as ferry services to two major jetties remain suspended, forcing visitors and commuters to seek alternative routes in the congested city.
The Mattancherry jetty continues to be out of service due to pending dredging operations at its premises, according to the Shipping and Water Transport Department (SWTD). The specialized maintenance work has delayed the resumption of regular ferry operations, which typically handle significant daily passenger traffic.
A second critical bottleneck involves the Kamalakadavu jetty, which remains non-operational despite completion of pontoon construction and related infrastructure work. The SWTD has indicated that the facility is yet to be formally handed over by Cochin Shipyard and Maritime Limited (CSML), the agency responsible for its development.
The dual closure has created gaps in Kochi's water transport network, a key feature of the city's tourism infrastructure. The suspension has forced both leisure tourists and regular commuters to rely on road-based transport options, further straining traffic in the city's already congested corridors.
No timeline has been announced for the resumption of services at either jetty. Authorities have not provided details on the expected completion dates for dredging work or the handover procedures at Kamalakadavu.