The ferry was overloaded, but the MMB says the law only allows for a fine of Rs 200, according to Mumbai News

The MMB, which is responsible for issuing licenses and regulating ferries, said the accident happened when a speeding navy boat rammed into a ferry during an engine test, not due to overcrowding or mechanical failure.

Besides, families taking the ferry service more often prefer to travel together and in such cases the crew allows more passengers, the official said.

In response to the overloading, the MMB has suspended the operator’s license for the Neelkamal ferry.

However, MMB officials have confirmed that if passengers are carried more than the licensed capacity, the board will impose a fine of Rs 200 on each additional passenger as per the law. However, this penalty does not prevent the ferry operator from restoring his license after paying the penalty. There is no further restriction on issuance of new licenses to operators who violate capacity norms, the official said.

This relatively small fine has raised concerns, especially in light of recent tragedies.

While the Rs 200 fine may seem minimal, MMB officials said such violations usually lead to re-custody until the fine is paid.

MMB also follows a strict process for issuing and renewing ferry licences. Each boat is required to undergo an annual fitness inspection conducted by one of MMB’s four surveyors, who ensure the boat meets safety and maintenance standards. However, this inspection process is not continuous – surveyors only inspect boats when they submit their renewal applications.

While the board insists it takes measures to ensure boat fitness, questions remain about the effectiveness of these inspections and whether they go far enough to prevent future tragedies.