Tourist boat operators in troubled waters as competition hots up

The entry of govt.-run services, including the Water Metro, has prompted private operators to slash fares and ramp up marketing, resulting in frequent skirmishes at terminals along once-tranquil Marine Drive waterfront in Kochi.
| Photo Credit: file photo

With the State Water Transport department (SWTD) set to operate its tourist boats into the night in the backwaters off Marine Drive, competition is heating up among private tourist boat operators in Kochi.

Tourist boats operated by the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) already run into the night, while many visitors opt for Kochi Water Metro ferries departing from the waterfront to experience affordable backwater cruises. “The air-conditioned hybrid ferries operate well into the night, offering a unique cruising experience for both commuters and tourists—particularly along the High Court–Fort Kochi and Vyttila–Kakkanad corridors,” said official sources.

Private boat operators said they were feeling the pinch as government-run services expanded their operations. In response, many had resorted to aggressive marketing and slashing ticket prices to woo tourists. This intense competition, however, had led to skirmishes between operators at Marine Drive terminals, disturbing the otherwise serene waterfront. Expressing concern over what he termed unhealthy competition among a section of private boat operators, Saju T. B., secretary of Marine Drive Tourist Boats Association, said unruly scenes were becoming more frequent in and around the tourist boat jetties at Marine Drive.

“The intense competition among small and medium boat operators along with the dip in patronage as many tourists opt for rides in the Water Metro ferries leads to arguments and occasional scuffles,” he added. Attributing the sharp rise in the number of boats on the waterfront to old fishing vessels being converted into tourist boats, he said many of these were being operated by crew without the required licences. He added that police verification certificates should be made mandatory for all crew members. He also pointed out that some small boats were carrying twice the permitted number of passengers, which posed a serious safety hazard

Yet another boat operator said police personnel should be stationed near the boat terminals, rather than around the High Court area, to help prevent skirmishes between operators along the GCDA-owned waterfront, where families and tourists come to relax.

In the meantime, the SWTD is finalising plans to operate, among other vessels, Indra—said to be India’s largest solar-electric ferry—from morning till night in the Ernakulam–Fort Kochi corridor.

“Talks are on with other firms to ensure that the 100-seat, double-deck vessel gets sound patronage for its package tours,” said a senior official of the department.