KOZHIKODE: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Beypore ship-breaking unit under the Steel Industrials Kerala Limited (SILK), will soon be engaged in launching two jankars for transportation in the backwaters of Alappuzha.Apart from the traditional manner, steel-based technology will be applied in the making of jankars, the most common means of conveyance in the backwaters, say the SILK authorities.As part of an agreement with the Irrigation Department, SILK Beypore unit, the lone ship-breaking unit in the public sector in the state, will construct two jankars with 19 metres in length and 7.5 metres width. A couple of steel boats will be appended together, averting the use of wooden planks. For ensuring durability, 140 tonnes of steel will be used in the both jankars, said SILK officials.“Jankars, based on the steel technology, is the first-of -its-kind initiative in the state,” said SILK Beypore ship-breaking Unit manager Surasan V P. “We have undertaken many jobs of making passenger boats for Alappuzha and this is for the first time we are manufacturing jankars for conveyance in the backwaters of Alappuzha,” he added. The steel-based technology will give a durability of 25-30 years to the jankars and the usage of wood would be reduced.The jankars will operate services at Kavalam and Pulickal, replacing old jankars ferrying in these areas in Alappuzha district. Besides 150 passengers, a jankar can ferry vehicles including bus, cars and two-wheelers, weighing a total of upto 100 tonnes at a time. The keel-laying of the jankars will be held on March 15.“A sum of Rs 220 lakh has been allocated as fund for the manufacture of jankars. We have started the preliminary works such as the procurement of raw materials,” said Surasan. We hope that the construction will be completed within three months of time. A total of 30 skilled workers will be deputed for the work. At present, the unit doesn’t have this much of workers, a sub-contract will be administered, added Surasan.
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