Department to ensure compliance of norms

The Kerala government’s Department of Ports is taking efforts to ensure that all the 2,000-odd boats in the state conform to safety norms prescribed in the Kerala Inland Vessel (KIV) Rules, 2010.

Reports indicate that houseboats, shikaras and tourist vessels, that use the stateÂ’s backwaters and navigable canals, do not conform to basic safety norms under the above law.

Shortage of manpower, however, is affecting the ability of the department to ensure strict compliance of these rules by the vessel operators.

The department has now sought the help of the police and the District Tourism Promotion Council to confiscate boats that fall foul of safety standards.

The Department of Ports has speeded up the process to publish a list of safe tourist boats in order to incentivise rule abiders and help tourists pick from among the safest boats. The list will also be given to the police and tourism council, which could publish them.