Corporation approves free Ro-Ro rides for women

Kochi: Following the footsteps of state govt’s recent free-travel initiative for women in KSRTC ordinary buses, Kochi corporation council on Monday passed a resolution approving free passage for women commuters on its Fort Kochi-Vypeen roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels.The motion, introduced by tax appeal standing committee chairperson K A Manaf, received strong backing from the ruling UDF. Mayor V K Minimol announced that while the resolution was successfully passed, the official date of implementation will be finalised and announced shortly once formal arrangements are completed.Under the scheme, the waiver applies specifically to female pedestrians among the 50 non-motorist passengers permitted per trip, saving them the standard Rs 3 ticket fare.

However, women commuting with vehicles will need to buy the regular Rs 10 ticket required for two-wheelers.While LDF chose not to oppose the welfare measure, LDF parliamentary party leader V A Sreejith sounded a note of caution. He highlighted that Ro-Ro services are already operating at a loss and warned that compounding these financial liabilities could inadvertently force authorities toward privatisation.

Echoing similar fiscal concerns, BJP councillor Priya Prashanth urged the council to conduct a proper study to categorise beneficiaries rather than implementing a blanket waiver.However, UDF councillors defended the move, arguing that public transit should be viewed as an essential social service rather than a profit-making venture.The decision would benefit economically backward women, particularly domestic workers, casual labourers and those employed in fishing sector, Manaf said.Vypeen-Fort Kochi Passengers Association welcomed the initiative, noting that women constitute nearly 75% of route’s pedestrian commuters.The decision comes just as Cochin Shipyard Ltd delivered a third Ro-Ro vessel to corporation, built at a cost of Rs 18 crore. Chief minister V D Satheesan is scheduled to formally inaugurate the new vessel soon, which can accommodate 14 trucks, 12 cars and 50 passengers, even as the civic body is reviewing its operating contract with Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation.