VASCO
Ferry services along the Cortalim-Marcaim route were severely affected after two of three ferries broke down in separate incidents within a day.
While one ferry developed an engine failure on Monday, the other ferry had issues with its clutch plate on Tuesday morning, leaving only one ferry to handle the State's longest ferry route and putting commuters and motorists from both sides into severe hardship.
According to sources, the second ferry broke down on Tuesday morning was towed away by another ferr
Ferry services along the Cortalim-Marcaim route were severely affected after two of three ferries broke down in separate incidents within a day.
While one ferry developed an engine failure on Monday, the other ferry had issues with its clutch plate on Tuesday morning, leaving only one ferry to handle the State's longest ferry route and putting commuters and motorists from both sides into severe hardship.
According to sources, the second ferry broke down on Tuesday morning was towed away by another ferr
y to the Cortalim ferry wharf.
At present, both stricken ferries have been tied alongside each other and are docked at the Cortalim wharf. Sources said the repair work of both ferries began Tuesday afternoon.
A large number of passengers and motorists use the 30-minute ferry route as it significantly cuts down the distance between Mormugao and Ponda taluka. In normal conditions, the presence of three ferries ensures frequent trips along the route. One large ferry can carry a load of passengers, about 10 two-wheelers and six four-wheelers.
With only one ferry now available on the route, the ferry took over an hour to travel from Cortalim to Marcaim and back, leaving several passengers and vehicles stranded at the Cortalim jetty.
"We are facing a lot of problems as there is only one ferry and it becomes difficult for us to travel between Marcaim and Cortalim. A lot of people from Marcaim are employed at the Verna Industrial Estate, MPT and other companies around Vasco," said a commuter, Sanjay Naik.
"Some students go to colleges in the area around Cortalim from Madkai. We are forced to use the long routes via Old Goa-Pilar or Borim-Quelossim, which is time-consuming and cumbersome," he added.
At present, both stricken ferries have been tied alongside each other and are docked at the Cortalim wharf. Sources said the repair work of both ferries began Tuesday afternoon.
A large number of passengers and motorists use the 30-minute ferry route as it significantly cuts down the distance between Mormugao and Ponda taluka. In normal conditions, the presence of three ferries ensures frequent trips along the route. One large ferry can carry a load of passengers, about 10 two-wheelers and six four-wheelers.
With only one ferry now available on the route, the ferry took over an hour to travel from Cortalim to Marcaim and back, leaving several passengers and vehicles stranded at the Cortalim jetty.
"We are facing a lot of problems as there is only one ferry and it becomes difficult for us to travel between Marcaim and Cortalim. A lot of people from Marcaim are employed at the Verna Industrial Estate, MPT and other companies around Vasco," said a commuter, Sanjay Naik.
"Some students go to colleges in the area around Cortalim from Madkai. We are forced to use the long routes via Old Goa-Pilar or Borim-Quelossim, which is time-consuming and cumbersome," he added.
