The police is intervening to ensure safe house boat services in Kasaragod in the aftermath of the Tanur boat tragedy. In a meeting convened by Kanhangad DySP P Balakrishnan Nair, following instruction from the state government, strict guidelines were formulated. Only the boats that have fitness and license would be allowed to run services.
The police have instructed the owners of the boats that do not have license to cease the service.
Besides, the police would conduct strict inspections to see whether the boats are adhering to the instructions. The coastal police too would assist in conducting inspections. Besides the DySP, Neeleshwaram CI K Premsadan, Sub Inspectors T Vysakh, Mahendran and houseboat owners led by Kasargod District Houseboat Owners Association President Sivadas Keeneri too attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, the surveyor at the Kannur Azheekal Port Office that grants license to the house boats reached Kottapuram for inspecting the houseboats.
There are only two surveyors in the entire state for conducting inspections before granting boat license. So, the licensing and license renewing procedures of many houseboats that are based in Kottapuram has been delayed. The houseboat owners say that even the applications that were submitted six months ago haven’t been processed.
The boat owners have been demanding at least a surveyor for two districts. The facilities for training the technical staff and licensing procedures are only available at Ponnani.
Even though CH Kunjambu MLA has intervened to start Kerala Maritime Centre, with the cooperation of Merchant Navy Club, at Uduma, it has reached nowhere. Meanwhile, the port office surveyor would station in the district to inspect all the houseboats that are based in Kottapuram.