Kadalundi to restart Jhankar service

CHAaLIYAM: The Kadalundi grama panchayat will soon float tender to entrust a new contractor to resume jhankar service which was stopped after the port department had expressed apprehension over the safe ferry of people across river Chaliyar.

An inspection conducted by the port department had found that the jhankar service operated by a private party based in Ponnani lacked enough security measures. Though the service was resumed in October on conditional consent it was discontinued in November. The jhankar, which used to ferry thousands of commuters and vehicles weighing up to 150 tonnes daily between Beypore and Chaliyam, was made joining three country boats.

The decision to float tender to resume the service was taken at an emergency meeting of the Kadalundi grama panchayat held two days ago. People have been finding it difficult to reach Kozhikode city after the stalling of the service. They need to travel more than 10km to reach the city after the cancellation of the service. The meeting also decided to terminate the service of the existing contractor.

"The grama panchayat is planning to resume the jhankar service at the earliest. The service will be resumed after ensuring that it has met all the safety conditions stipulated by the port department," said Kadalundi grama panchayat secretary P K Rajashekaran. The grama panchayat is also considering a proposal to purchase own jhankar to ensure round-the-clock service.