PANJIM: The addition of a new ferryboat to the existing fleet of two on the Panjim-Betim route has been delayed by a month. Official sources said the boat is not ready but its completion is likely by February-end after which River Navigation Department (RND) will begin a trial run along the route and then launched into service.
“The new boat is being built at a private engineering company at Old Goa. It was earlier expected to be commissioned by January-end but work is still underway. However, we hope it should be ready for use by February 28 when we will begin its trial run on the Panjim-Betim route till a few days, and thereafter for commuters,” said the official.
RND will be inducting three new passenger boats this year, one of which has been allotted to the busy Panjim-Betim route. In the last three months, this route has faced breakdowns, either due to technical glitches or the low tide. Meanwhile, the other two new boats will substitute ‘Cumbarjua’ and ‘Canacona’ ferryboats that will be condemned.
The ageing ferry boats have turned into a major challenge for the authorities considering that the lives of over two lakh people who commute daily on different ferry routes are at risk. Some of these, as old as 31 years, are among the fleet of around 35 ferry boats plying on 18 routes.
