Fuelling station: Change in opinions fuels debat

KOCHI: The tug of war between the district administration and the Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD) officials intensified after the District Collector supported the shifting of the Ernakulam Boat Jetty’s fuelling station which is under-construction. He said that the station should be moved at least 10 metres away from the present location.The Collector said that he will soon convene a meeting to put forth the suggestions in the presence of the KSWTD officials. “The present location of the fuelling station is obstructing the walkway at the boat jetty. Since there is a proposal to extend the Marine Drive walkway to the south while including the premises of the boat jetty, the fuelling station will only be a hindrance. However, the decision will be taken only after a meeting is convened,” said Sheik Pareeth, District Collector.Meanwhile, the KSWTD Ernakulam officials have come out strongly against the Collector’s plans to shift the station as the project had taken a long time to receive the sanction to start the construction work at the current location, from the explosives department. A KSWTD Ernakulam official said, “We have explicitly told the Collector about the practical difficulties in changing the location of the station.”Also, KSWTD Director Shaji V Nair at Alappuzha said that he had sent a statement three days ago to the Collector asking him to keep the location of the fuelling station intact. “We have spent at least `15 lakh for the construction of the station which is almost complete. We believe that the private boat operators wishing to avail the services from the KSWTD boat jetty are exerting pressure. Once the fuelling station starts operating, it will be difficult for them to carry out their services from the KSWTD jetty,” he said.Shaji also pointed out that KSWTD is facing huge losses every month, as currently, they are getting fuel from the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) station at Thevara. “Also, there is a security issue at the KSINC station as it comes under Navy alert area. We are not willing to discuss it further and expect our demands to be met as they are practical,” he added.