KOCHI: M.V. Bharath, the passenger ferry that collapsed like a pack of cards after being hit by a modified country craft used as a fishing boat, has a fitness certificate valid till 2017.
But its owners have not given the date of manufacture while applying for renewal of its licence from the Directorate of Port a year ago, sources said.
It was done deliberately, according to the relevant documents. Although there is a stipulation that vessels more than 15 years old are not allowed to operate, the ill-fated vessel was nearly 35 years old.
It got the license due to the political influence of its owners, sources said. Local people in Vypeen have raised doubts about the fitness of the vessel to operate in a region, considered as highly congested as well as needing utmost care. Vypeen-Fort Kochi route crossing Kochi shipping channel and the estuary is a risky area for the passenger vessels to operate due to many factors.
