: The Kerala High Court has directed the Kochi Corporation to file a detailed report on the steps taken for the safety and security of travellers of the jhankar being operated by the Corporation between Vypeen and Fort Cochin.
The directive came on a writ petition filed by Sali Thomas of Vypeen. According to the petitioner, the Kochi Corporation was bound to number and affix all its boats and jhankars under sections 265, 266 and 267 of the Kerala Municipalities Act. In fact, the Corporation had not so far numbered any boats and jhankar. Besides, the Corporation was duty bound to insure the boat passengers as per Inland Vessels Act, 1917. The Corporation should obtain licenses for boats and jhankars under Cochin Harbour Craft Rules when they operated along the Cochin Harbour and Port areas. The High Court had held that the local-self-government institutions had a duty to ensure that all safety measures were in place. The petitioner pointed out that there was a recent instance of a jhankar operated by the Corporation getting drifted away to the sea because of engine failure.
The petitioner also sought a directive to the Corporation to ensure that it was taking all safety and security measures as per rules. A directive to the City Policy Commissioner to verify the records of the boat and jhankars on safety equipment and insurance cover had also been sought.
