A Kuttanad cruise for Rs 50

ALAPPUZHA: A backwater cruise is a dream of every tourist visiting Kuttanad. The rates, Rs 400 and above for a one-hour cruise, however, does not make it affordable to all. Hence, to fulfil the ambitions of the ordinary tourist, the Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD) has come up with a ‘Rs 50 for two hours’ offer.
The KSWTD has purchased two boats specially for the service christened ‘See Kuttanad’. The boats have completed all inspection and  inclination tests, said KSWTD director Shaji V Nair. “We aim to begin the service this month.The double-deckers, with a capacity of 90 seats, were built at Steel Industrial Kerala Limited, Kannur. It will begin as a passenger-cum-tourist service. The upper deck of 30 seats is reserved for tourists,” Shaji said.
Tourists in the upper deck will be charged Rs 50 for 2 hours. The lower deck charge will be Rs 10,” Traffic Superintendent K T Antony said. “The department plans to conduct 13 services a day. The first service, beginning at 10.45 am from the bus stand jetty, will touch Soman, Arjunan, Kavunkal, Kuppapuram, Puthenkayal, Pandissery, LC, School jettys and end in Kainakari jetty. On return, it will touch Goventha, Muttel, Kolathu, EMS, Kannitta, Punchiri and Vilakkumaram and reached bus stand jetty through the Nehru Trophy area,” Antony said.