Risk of travel by boat in Kochi backwaters a matter of concern

Travel by boat in the backwaters of Kochi is normal but there are many risks associated with such travel because many of the vessels operating in the region have thrown caution to the winds in terms of meeting crucial requirements.
The Transport Minister has pointed out that out of the 51 vessels used for operating ferry services in the State, 14 were wooden boats that were over 25 years old, and most of the remaining ones were over 15 years old. This was refuted by the Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD) authorities. They have clarified that none of the boats operated by the department in Kochi were that old. They have added that all the boats meet the safety standards stipulated by the State government and carry life-saving gear and modern communication equipment.
This has been reported in thehindu.com dated 4 March 2017.

On Marine Drive, there are private boats that take tourists out into the backwaters, some time in blatant violation of safety norms. In spite of strict warnings, boats that should not carry guests on the upper deck, do so by adding a temporary deck. Some of the boats have life jackets more than a decade old sourced from the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department under the tsunami relief program.
As per official estimates, close to 400 tourist boats are operated in the Vembanad lake and surrounding water bodies.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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