Muziris floating jetties doing zero business

KOCHI: The floating jetties at Kodungalloor and Paravoor, installed as part of the Muziris Heritage project, have been lying idle ever  since their installation more than 6 months ago. Some of them have been partially or fully submerged in water while others have been damaged. The Tourism Department is now constructing permanent jetties in all these areas. This would render the floating jetties useless unless they are transported to other areas where they can be used.The floating jetties, a US-patented technology, are temporary jetties which can be transported from one dock (check) to the other, making them ideal for multiple usage across destinations. The floating jetties were part of the Tourism Department’s project to connect the different landmark spots of the Muziris project through a boat circuit.“The inauguration of the first phase was to  happen in February. There was no time to build  permanent jetties then. Hence these floating jetties were brought to Kodungalloor and Paravoor. Three of them were installed,” says V M former Special Officer of the Muziris Project. But the inauguration never took place. Meanwhile the construction of the new permanent jetties has meant that the floating jetties will stagnate in the waters unless they are transported elsewhere. The transportation of the jetties in the five years, after its construction, is undertaken by the manufacturing company. But the company has not received any orders to transport the jetties from the Muziris area. “As of now we have not got any intimation about shifting them elsewhere for transportation. The jetties were initially commissioned for a project in Alappuzha. It was then taken to Muziris as per the  instructions. They can be installed else where if they are of no use here.Some of the jetties, meanwhile, have given way to time, the one at Paravoor market is half sunk. “There was some confusion regarding their installation also. As such they have not been fixed well. If they are of no use here they can be transported elsewhere where they can be of some use,” says M R Narayanan, Managing Director, Floatels, India Private Limited.