Ensuring safety; guidelines for floating bridges and restaurants coming soon

KOLLAM: Guidelines are coming for the approval and control of floating bridges, restaurants, jetties and cottages built in inland waters. The draft guidelines prepared by the Kerala Maritime Board with the aim of ensuring the safety of the people are under consideration by the government. The Maritime Board was tasked with preparing the guidelines by calling a meeting of the Chief Secretary. Currently, no safety inspections are carried out on floating restaurants and cottages built in inland waters after obtaining permission from local bodies.

If the guidelines come into force...

Once the guidelines come into force, an application should be made to the Port Registry for construction in inland waters. Subsequently, surveyors from the Maritime Board will examine the design and safety. Safety and strength tests will be conducted during construction as well. Registration will be granted based on the survey report when construction is completed. The license should be renewed after inspections are carried out at intervals of three to one year depending on the nature of the construction. The Maritime Board will conduct a survey only if there is a construction permit or NOC from the local body. Existing constructions should also be prepared with designs based on the guidelines and registered from the Maritime Board.

Permission must be obtained before installation

• The construction period will be fixed
• The license must be renewed at regular intervals
• Safety inspection before renewal
• Life-saving measures are mandatory
• Restrictions on simultaneous entry
• Standards for construction materials

The draft guidelines regarding permission, control and safety for constructions in inland waters have been submitted to the government after detailed discussions. The government will issue an order soon after the inspections.

N.S. Pillai, Chairman

Kerala Maritime Board