The State Water Transport Department (SWTD) is planning to introduce camera surveillance system at its station offices and yards and LED televisions in boats and station offices to enhance security and create awareness among travellers.
LED televisions will be installed in boats and 14 station offices at a cost of Rs.9.10 lakh. The 70 LED televisions will display the safety rules to be followed by travellers, besides providing instructions on using life jackets and buoys in case of emergency. “Through this, we hope to ensure that safety standards are met,” SWTD Director Shaji .V. Nair told The Hindu . Besides, the new facility will generate additional revenue through advertisements. The government accorded administrative sanction for the project after the working group recommended the bid of M/s GIO Engineering Pvt. Ltd to supply LED televisions at Rs.15,950 each. The government has asked the SWTD to ensure that the cameras installed at boat stations are resistant to saline atmosphere. Outdoor cameras should be installed in vandal-proof enclosures. Giving administrative sanction for the Rs.18.82-lakh work to be executed through Keltron, the SWTD has been asked to see that the firm floats e-tenders for purchase of outsourced equipment and services. Initially, the facility will be put in place at major station offices and yards in Kochi and Alappuzha as well as the SWTD Directorate. The government is waiting for the Election Commission’s nod to go ahead with the project, which was sanctioned before the code of conduct.
