Kakkathuruthu Island has risen worldwide after National Geographic calls it one of the best places to watch sunsets. |Picture source: Special arrangement
Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Company (KSINC) has abandoned plans to operate a full-day tour package on part of its air-conditioned (AC) tourist boats, from Ocean Avenue to the world-famous Kakkathuruthu Island, which is located on the Ernakulam-Alappuzha border, citing “in two failed delays” that create temporary land for the island from the island.
kakkathuruthu was promoted to global reputation after National Geography Name it one of the best places to watch the sunset. It was also listed as “All over the world within 24 hours” in 2016.
“We have decided not to adopt an ambitious plan to operate a boat trip on the original island on part of our AC ships, considering that the local corpse and fisheries department had delayed more than one year for more than one year to cancel the two unlicensed nets to hinder safe navigation along the waters.
They added that the ongoing summer vacation will be the ideal time to start service as demand for boating and packing tours for families and tour groups has been rising.
The agency identified its sister ships in 2024, Michelle and Egyptian Queencan accommodate 20 people in their communication space, and 80 people in non-AC spaces for a package trip to Kakkathuruthu. In other trips, the boats take a luxury package cruise from the agency’s terminal on Marine Drive, head to resorts on the island near Kochi and cruise in Alappuzha in Alappuzha.
Along with KSINC, tourism stakeholders from the island have also repeatedly marked the blockage of fishing nets to safe navigation of tourist vessels from Kochi.
Kakkathuruthu’s tourism coordinator Foji John, who also runs a farm tourism program on the island, said the two networks occupied on the waterway were one of 36 unlicensed fishing nets and unlicensed fishing nets and tree stumps erected by people from the island’s family. He added: “The owners of this pair are reluctant to relocate them, although most of the networks here are not operated due to the reduction in fish fishing. By blocking visitors, this artificial barrier in the body of water has affected the work prospects of hundreds of islanders.”
Despite multiple representations by KSINC and tourism stakeholders, he expressed anxiety at two Grama Panchayats in the region and two Grama Panchayats in the region.
“They should at least discuss the decisions made at the meeting to discuss the issue so that there will be an ongoing interest in this iconic island among visitors,” John added.
As the Nets blocked direct waterway connectivity from Marine Drive, visitors now have to head to the Alappuzha area and then reach the area by relying on ships running from nearby terminals.
publishing – March 31, 2025 at 12:30 am IST
