“The study finds strong positive correlation between the distance and profitability of the container movements.
The Net Present Value (NPV) estimates for a 20-year period showed profitability in Kollam and Kottayam-based container movements compared to that of Alappuzha and Cherthala,” said D. Rajasenan, who led the study.
Low fuel cost and low environmental pollution make water transport stand out among the other modes of transport.
Its benefits are further underlined by the overstretched road infrastructure in Kerala, increasing number of road accidents and rapidly rising cost of fuel.
Water-based transport of containers using barges on roll-on, roll-off basis offers the best solution to the current situation, provided other variables like infrastructure (jetties and terminals) and speedy clearance of cargo by Customs are taken care of.
There is “titanic potential” for the waterways between Kollam and Kottappuram with 11 terminals between them, Dr. Rajasenan said.
He called for the removal of impediments to the switch over to water transport as well as accurate planning based on reliable data from movement of cargo from places like Cherthala, Alappuzha, Karunagappally and Kollam.
Low fuel cost and low environmental pollution make water transport stand out .
Source :The Hindu 13 July 2012