KOTTAYAM: The Kumarakom-Muhamma boat services raise safety concern among passengers after the Kochi-Vypeen tragedy claimed the lives of eight people last week.
DC saw the boats at the government jetty here lacking the necessary safety gear during a random check on Saturday.
The 3.30 pm boat to Muhamma had only two life jackets onboard while more than 40 passengers had already boarded from Kumarakom.
Moreover, the jetty was congested with many houseboats waiting for tourists besides fishing and private passenger boats in the Vembanad lake with little space to move around.
Drivers say most often they used to come across a situation where other boats block their way.
“These boats move around leaving a little space for us to go safely. The fishing boats also paddle on the waters making it difficult for us to get around,” said V.J. Mathew, a boat driver.
The passengers too have their apprehensions. “The absence of adequate life-jackets is a worry for us especially in the context of the boat tragedies. The authorities should do something to ensure safety,” said David, a regular passenger.
They are worried about the lack of security measures as the Vembanad has a history of recurrent boat tragedies.
At least 31 people were killed when an overcrowded passenger boat capsized in the lake near Pathiramanal on July 27, 2002.
