Kerala govt to launch 'Pink Chitty' to encourage women to save travel cost benefits: CM

Kochi, Jul 12 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Sunday said his government would launch a 'Pink Chitty' scheme through the KSFE to encourage women to save the money they benefit from free travel initiatives. Speaking after inaugurating the Kochi Corporation's third roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel, Sethusagar-3, at the Vypeen boat jetty, Satheesan welcomed the civic body's decision to offer free travel for women on its Ro-Ro services. Earlier, the state government introduced free travel for women on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) ordinary buses across Kerala. "The money women save through free travel should be set aside as their own savings. Women must have their own independent savings, which will help them live with dignity and self-confidence. That is why the government will take the initiative to introduce a 'Pink Chitty' through Kerala State Financial Enterprises (KSFE)" he said. He urged women not to part with the savings but to invest them in the proposed scheme. Satheesan said the launch of the third Ro-Ro vessel would further strengthen Kochi's water transport network and improve connectivity between Fort Kochi, Vypeen and the Kochi city. Describing Kochi as the first city in the country to introduce the Ro-Ro system, he said more such vessels would be added in the future to improve public transport. The Chief Minister also outlined a series of infrastructure and tourism projects planned for Kochi, including a Rs 190-crore, 190 MLD drinking water project to permanently address the city's water shortage. He said work to renovate Fort Kochi beach would begin soon to boost tourism and announced plans to establish a 40-acre oceanarium at Puthuvypeen, a film city and an international-standard maritime museum. "A major proposal to modernise Kochi's public transport system has also been submitted to the Centre. Kochi is on the verge of a major transformation," he said. Kochi Mayor V K Minimol presided over the function. MLAs Muhammed Shiyas, Tony Chammany, T J Vinod and Deepak Joy, Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, KSINC Managing Director R Girija, Cochin Smart Mission Limited CEO Arun N Nair, Cochin Shipyard CMD V J Jose and other public representatives attended the event. PTI TBA TBA ROH