Gateway ferries are sinking

With the main Gateway jetty closed, congestion is dissuading tourists from taking boat rides. Owners are rapidly losing money

BOAT owners are still facing the brunt of the terrorist attack on 26/11. This tourist season (November to January) turned out to be the worst with the losses they incurred because of security restrictions.

A major worry they have is the closure of jetty number four, because of which owners sail their boats once every six days due to the congestion at the other jetties. And even then, they are able to sell only 30-40 seats for boats that can seat 150 people.

"Last time I took my boat out was on Wednesday, January 7 and my next turn is on Tuesday, January 13," complained Bamne Murad, boat owner at GOI.u00a0 Murad's previous earning of Rs 5,000 (in two days) during the peak season has now come down to almost Rs 2,000 (in six days). "We can see tourists coming in but due to the huge waiting line, they are reluctant to choose ferry rides," he added.

According to the spokesperson from Gateway-Elephanta Jalvahtuk Sahakari Sanstha, ferry boat associations have written several letters to the tourism department and local police requesting them to open the main jetty.
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But no action has been taken.

Suhas Padte, owner of Mahesh Travel and Tours, grumbled, saying, "All the places targeted by the terrorists are functioning, then why can't they open the main jetty? Why are they ruining our business?"

Padte who owns four luxury boats (each has a seating capacity of 150) at the GOI is able to sell only 30 to 40 seats per day. "We have been asked to ferry our boats only from 6 am to 6 pm. Police have also restricted boat parties. And now, if they don't open the other jetties, we will have to shut shop," he said.

Colaba police are also believed to have asked boat owners to install CCTV cameras at the jetties to maintain a record of regular boat travelers. They are also required to check their photo passes and address details, frisk travellers's bags and keep security men on their boats. Boat owners do not find this feasible. "It is ridiculous of them to ask boat owners to install CCTV cameras. It is job of the government and not of the boat owners," said a boat owner who did not wished to be named.

Factfile
> There are 93 boats
> 73 are luxury and 20 are ordinary boats.
> Daily earnings before 26/11: 50,000 a month
> Post 26/11: 15,000 to 20,000 a month.
> Jetties that are functioning: Jetty 2 and 3