Recently, the Kerala High Court division bench directs the government to ensure that the boats operating in the State are not overloaded and display prominently the maximum carrying capacity on each vessel.

The bench, comprising Justices Devan Ramachandran and Sophy Thomas, noted that, 

"...Therefore there is no doubt in our minds that the fundamental imperative is to ensure that every boat in Kerala is allowed to ferry or carry persons only to the maximum capacity as certified by the competent authority," the court said.

The court was hearing a suo motu PIL over the tragic boat accident that happened at Tanur on May 7 that claimed 22 lives, including 15 children.

The Bench also directed that every boat should be asked to display a board on its conspicuous places, including points of entry and exit and alwithin its cabins, showing the maximum number of people  should carry.