KSWTD boat passengers to get insurance cover

KOCHI: The Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD) is all set to announce its insurance coverage scheme by next month for the passengers travelling on its boats. KSWTD director Shaji V Nair told ‘Express’ that the official launch of the scheme is part of the publication of the citizen’s charter of the department.“There will be a special mention of the insurance scheme in the charter, as it has not yet been made public so far. There are many who are not aware of the scheme,” he said. The citizen’s charter will provide the public a know-how of the scheme. The forms for insurance will also be included in it. “The passengers will know whom to approach and when to approach for the insurance coverage and to make claims,” Shaji said.The KSWTD has signed an agreement with the State Insurance Department in this regard. “The company was initially hesitant to sign the agreement for such a huge investment but later we could arrive at an agreement,” Shaji said. The `1-crore investment aims to ensure that all the passengers on board the boats are safe and secure.The decision to implement the scheme was taken by the previous LDF ministry. But it was implemented only recently, years after the Justice Narayana Kurup Commission insisted on such a scheme in the state.According to the package, at least `1 lakh will be provided to a passenger on board if he or she dies in a boat accident or if he or she is put into a state of permanent disability. For those who suffer from partial disability, a minimum of `50,000 will be granted. The maximum limit for the insurance coverage per accident is `25 lakh. The scheme will also be applicable to the KSWTD staff on board the boats.The passengers on board the boats of the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), Kollam, need not be afraid any more. DTPC joint-secretary Prasad told ‘Express’ that they were planning to launch an insurance scheme for all those travelling by DTPC boats. An agreement for this is being signed with the New India Insurance Company. As per the plan, the passengers of five house boats and the safari boat operating in Kollam will be insured.