KSINC, SWTD to resume tourist boat operations from Marine Drive waterfront

The Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) and the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) are gearing up to resume full-fledged operation of their air-conditioned and non-AC tourist vessels from the Marine Drive waterfront, with the festive-cum-tourism season round the corner.

The KSINC fleet includes three sea-going vessels – Nefertiti (a luxury vessel) and sister vessels Sagara Rani I and Sagara Rani II. “They will restart sea cruises from September 1, following the lifting of safety curbs on operating in the sea during the monsoon. With the rain easing and the Onam season approaching, demand for sea cruises has surged. Cruise packages range from two to four hours,” sources said.

The food-inclusive fares for cruises on Nefertiti and Sagara Rani vessels were recently slashed. In addition, the solar-powered Sooryamshu and smaller boats offer food-inclusive hourly and day-long backwater cruises, including trips to islands around Kochi and Palaikari in Vaikom. Group bookings are also popular. Booking for KSINC-operated vessels can be done online at mycruise.kerala.gov.in or offline via 98462-11143.

The SWTD will resume tourist vessel services from the Ernakulam Boat Jetty on August 28. They include Indra, a 100-passenger, fully air-conditioned double-deck vessel described as India’s first solar-electric ferry. “Indra is fully air-conditioned, while Vega - another tourist vessel that operates in Kochi, has 40 AC seats and 80 non-AC seats,” sources said.

SWTD Director Shaji V. Nair said the department would also introduce children-specific, food-inclusive, one-hour budget trips. “There has been a resounding response to food-inclusive budget tourism boat operations in other districts as well. They include the ‘See Kuttanad’ and ‘See Astamudi’ trips and a similar package in Kannur,” he added. Bookings can be made at 94000-50351 or 94000-50346.

Private boat operators at Marine Drive have also expanded their services, introducing new packages. Following the KSINC’s model, one operator recently entered into an agreement with the KSRTC’s budget tourism cell to provide package tours.