Ferrytale - II

Shock and awe

My investigation of the ferry problem exposed two amazing facts. One I can understand, the other I can't. Approximately, Rs 9 cr is spent by the government to run the ferry service every year. That I can understand. If there is a disruption in service, more often than not, even before the users (who) are affected, the shop vendors at the entrance to the jetties and the motorcycle pilots are the first to complain as they have a vested interest – their business gets affected. On the other hand, it appears that of these two breeds, the shop vendors would be happier if there was only a skeletal service running at each jetty – the more the people waiting for a longer period of time for the boats, the brisker is their business. Not so with the pilots who'd be on the side of the commuter – a faster throughput for him would be welcome. Whatever be the facts, this is the real picture: There is just too much for the tiny fleet of ferries to handle.

The Crossing (ferries operating as on November 24 2008)

Kerim-Tiracol -1

Kiranpani-Aronda -1

Camurlim-Tuem -1

Calvim-Carona -1

Pomburpa-Chorao -1

Panjim-Betim -1

Ribandar-Chorao -3

Old Goa-Divar -1

Ribandar-Divar -2

Vanxim-Amboi -1

Naroa-Divar -1

Tolto-Dhauji -1

Cumbarjua-Gaundalim -1

Tonca-Sarmanas -1

Volvoi-Surla-Maina -1

Madcaim-Cortalim -2

Rassaim-Durbhat -1

Rai-Shiroda -1

Cavelossim-Assolna -1

Total crossings: 28

Ferries available: 23

Details of major repairs that will have to be scheduled in the next 4-6 months:

Ferry Rai –Bottom plates require replacement.

Ferry Divar –Bottom plates require replacement.

Ferry Diu –Bottom/hull is weak and doublers welded together.

Ferry Sanquem – Deck plates completed perforated.

This is the stark truth and if you think the ferry you use to cross over daily is any better off than the above listed. Think again. Better still, check out the gaping holes on the sides of the ferry. Which is why I said you can start whistling if you think this what-calls-for-drastic action problem, is never going to be fixed. This government and the minister who got dumped with the portfolio of River Navigation Department are just not interested. They are looking at greener pastures like turning Margao into a whole new arts and culture centre.

While this government makes it so easy to be nailed for its sins of omission and commission, a disturbing fact is that Divar island (and I presume Chorao as well) has helped spawn a culture of bribe. For the official Rs 10 Ribandar-Divar fare, the ticketless tariff is Rs 5 and for the official Rs 7 Old Goa-Divar fare, the ticketless travels costs Rs 5. I see the logic (though I do not myself indulge) in paying Rs 5 instead of Rs 10, but for crying out loud, why pay Rs 5 for Rs 7. The downside is the ferry staff go overboard (metaphorically speaking) to accommodate the many, many trucks and buses that cross daily, because there's really big money to be made. In fact between squeezing in the trucks and two-wheelers who despite the fact they were allowed to travel free (a dole out before the last elections) by the MLA and former Navigation Department minister Pandurang Madkaikar and think the ferries were specially built for them, crossing across from Divar has come to be a major irritant if you own a car.

(Feedback 6658606, lionroars@gmail.com)