Date:25/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/25/stories/2007022504950300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Ensure safety of boat services, say MLAs

Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA: The district administration should take steps to ensure the safety of boat services in the district in the light of Thattekkad boat tragedy, K.C. Venugopal and C.K. Sadasivan, MLAs, have said. Speaking at the District Development Council meeting held here on Saturday, they said the district had the largest number of boats in the State.

There should be facilities to verify whether all types of boats, including houseboats and speedboats, adhered to laws on safety, they said.

Mr. Venugopal noted that the State Government's assurance to upgrade the old Alappuzha Medical College Hospital in the town as a general hospital was yet to be implemented in its true sense. District Medical Officer N.M. Murali said steps were being taken to upgrade the hospital.