Kochi Marina At The Risk Of Closure | Kochi News
, 2022-07-11 22:04:00,
Kochi: Even though international tourism is slowly getting revived after the impact caused by the pandemic, yacht tourism in Kochi is unlikely to make a comeback anytime soon. It is not because there are not enough foreign yachts wanting to arrive in Kochi but because of the deplorable condition of Kochi Marina, the only international marina in India that the yachting community considers as a gateway to Red Sea Passage.
The absence of annual maintenance, which has not been done since its inception 13 years ago, and poor infrastructure tarnish the reputation of the marina forcing many yachters to bypass Kochi while sailing through South Asia. If an overhaul is not implemented at the earliest, the marina will have to be shut for good putting an end to Kochi’s yacht tourism dreams.
Dilapidated docks, rotten wooden planks, infestation of rats, which damage the parts of the boat, excess growth of water hyacinth weeds, rusty pilings, silt accumulated berths, etc. are the descriptions of Kochi Marina among the yachters. A foreign yachter suffered damage worth Rs 40,000 after rats destroyed his yacht’s sails, rope, cushions, etc. A few months ago, a yachter suffered leg injury when the rotten wooden plank on the dock broke while he was walking. Around five foreign yachts, which decided to sail from Maldives to Kochi, cancelled their plans after knowing about the pathetic conditions at the marina.
Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, which owns the marina, has completely neglected the property, and not even 10% of the income it received from the yachts has been used for the maintenance. Once around 28 yachts were docked at a time at the marine but now only four yachts are there, that too planning to leave soon.
“KTDC has decided not to renew the contract given to Mumbai-based Ocean Blue, which used to run the marina. However, for the past one year KTDC is directly operating the marina despite multiple proposals having been received by interested parties. Lack of funds is the main reason. Also, Cochin Port needs to do the dredging works as we have leased out the marina land from them. We hope to do a major overhaulif funds are allocated,” said a KTDC official.
The absence of annual maintenance, which has not been done since its inception 13 years ago, and poor infrastructure tarnish the reputation of the marina forcing many yachters to bypass Kochi while sailing through South Asia. If an overhaul is not implemented at the earliest, the marina will have to be shut for good putting an end to Kochi’s yacht tourism dreams.
Dilapidated docks, rotten wooden planks, infestation of rats, which damage the parts of the boat, excess growth of water hyacinth weeds, rusty pilings, silt accumulated berths, etc. are the descriptions of Kochi Marina among the yachters. A foreign yachter suffered damage worth Rs 40,000 after rats destroyed his yacht’s sails, rope, cushions, etc. A few months ago, a yachter suffered leg injury when the rotten wooden plank on the dock broke while he was walking. Around five foreign yachts, which decided to sail from Maldives to Kochi, cancelled their plans after knowing about the pathetic conditions at the marina.
Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, which owns the marina, has completely neglected the property, and not even 10% of the income it received from the yachts has been used for the maintenance. Once around 28 yachts were docked at a time at the marine but now only four yachts are there, that too planning to leave soon.
“KTDC has decided not to renew the contract given to Mumbai-based Ocean Blue, which used to run the marina. However, for the past one year KTDC is directly operating the marina despite multiple proposals having been received by interested parties. Lack of funds is the main reason. Also, Cochin Port needs to do the dredging works as we have leased out the marina land from them. We hope to do a major overhaulif funds are allocated,” said a KTDC official.
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