Commuters complained that lesser number of passengers were being allowed to travel than the allowed capacity
Commuters from Ernakulam to Fort Kochi wear lifejackets while travelling by boat.
KOCHI: With cops strictly implementing its directions to get those travelling by boats to wear lifejackets, the State Water Transport Department officials on Monday held talks with the City Police Commissioner seeking exemption saying it was not practical, but the police was firm.
The meeting was held even as certain regular commuters protested at the Ernakulam boat jetty over the delay in services due to implementation of the new directive.
“The commissioner said they have no choice but to implement the court direction. We pointed out the practical difficulty in making 100 passengers wear lifejackets for a ride lasting 10 to 20 minutes.
Already the sparkling light and whistle of 70 of the lifejackets were damaged by commuters in just two days,” said M Satyan, Ernakulam Traffic Superintendent.
However, DCP S Haishankar said the cops had started booking cases for non-compliance of the directive. “We have already booked two boat operators upon finding the riders not wearing lifejackets,” he said.
Meanwhile, commuters complained that lesser number of passengers were being allowed to travel than the allowed capacity.
“During peak hours, this leads to commuters waiting for over half an hour to get into a boat. A majority of the people are office-goers and the boat services are getting delayed due to wearing of lifejackets by all passengers. Instead lifejackets and lifebuoys should be kept ready and the directions on how to use them should be written in a manner that is visible inside the boats,” said S Padmanabha Mallya, Secretary, Pashchima Kochi Passengers Association. by all passengers.
Instead life jackets and life buoys should be kept ready and the direction on how to use them should be written visibly inside the boats,” said S Padmanabha Mallya, Secretary, Pashchima Kochi Passengers Association.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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