After High-Speed Railways, India To Get High-Speed Waterways: Vega 120 Boats To Ply In Kochi Waters Soon

Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD) has introduced the high-speed ‘Vega 120’ of which will ply on the Fort Kochi-Ernakulam route starting on Friday (16 November), reports The Indian Express.

A K Saseendran, Transport Minister of Kerala, is expected to attend the launch of the service on the new route. A partly air-conditioned ferry had began services from Vaikom to Ernakulam on 5 November.

“The Rs 1.85 crore vessel can move at a speed of up to 14 knots (around 25 km per hour),” he added.

Starting from Vaikkom, the boat is scheduled to reach Ernakulam at 9.30 am and returns by 5.30 pm. The boat would be staging services on the Fort Kochi-Ernakulam route in the interim period.

The service could carry 120 passengers in a single trip, with 80 non-AC and 40 AC seating. The boat would take just 12 minutes to reach Ernakulam from Fort Kochi. The fare for AC seating is Rs 20 per person and Rs 10 for non-AC.

Touted as the fastest inland ferry service in the state, Vega 120 adheres to fire and other safety specifications. It needs a draft of around one metre. The ferry is made of fibre-reinforced plastic and has an efficient hull for, enabling it to move at faster speeds.