Boats State needs to be registered under A.P. Inland Vessels Rules

The three-member committee on inland waterways said that the procedures followed for survey and registration of river boats under ‘The Canal and Public Ferry Act, 1890’ are obsolete and doesn’t suit the present-day requirements.

The committee, in its interim report, recommended that all the boats plying in the river waters of the State needs to be registered under A.P. Inland Vessels Rules, 2017, for better safety standards.In view of a series of boat tragedies that shook the State, the State government constituted the committee.

Subsequent to its interim report, the government, in a GO 14 issued on Friday, asked the Water Resources Department to stop issuing licences henceforth as per ‘The Canal and Public Ferries Act, 1890.’ Also, the Tourism Department has been asked to ensure that all the Water Sports and Water Tourism Operators would adhere to the provision of the A.P. Inland Vessel Rules-2017.In a few other major decisions relating to the inland waterways, the government has asked Director of Ports to study the best practices in the country and across the globe keeping in view of the recommendations given by the committee.

Detailed proposal

The Director Ports would also furnish a detailed proposal for additional resources and manpower in view of the entrustment of additional responsibility of the management of the Inland Water Transport and Associated Water Sport activities.The government also directed the District Collectors and Commissioners of Police/Superintendents of Police in the State to ensure that the boats had valid permits issued by the Competent Authority of Department of Ports. The boats having such licence should only be allowed to ply in the river waters and water sports in the sea waters.