The Gujarat Ferries and Inland Vessels Act, 1868
The Gujarat Ferries and Inland Vessels Act, 1868
This legislation regulates public ferries and inland vessel transport by establishing rules for water transit across rivers, lakes, and streams. It applies to vessel owners, ferry operators, toll collectors, and members of the public utilizing inland water transportation. Authorities are empowered to declare public ferries, lease operations, set approved toll rates, issue vessel licenses, enforce load limits, and inspect watercraft for seaworthiness. By penalizing unlawful tolls, negligent navigation, vessel overloading, and infrastructure damage, the law protects passenger safety and maintains reliable public transport routes. It matters because it ensures orderly, safe, and regulated water transit while giving officials authority to avert maritime accidents.
- 0. Preamble
- 1. Definitions.
- 2. Commissioner may constitute public ferries, establish new and discontinue existing ferries.
- 2A. Vesting of public ferries in local bodies; Powers of local bodies in respect thereto.
- 3. Rates of toll. Exemption from toll.
- 4. Appointment and salaries, of toll-keepers, etc.
- 5. Commissioner may lease public ferries by public auction or private contract.
- 5A. Power to cancel lease.
- 5B. Surrender of lease.
- 5C. Power to take possession of boats, etc., on surrender of lease.
- 6. Acts of servant of contractor.
- 7. Table of tolls to be hung up.
- 8. Penalty in respect to table of tolls.
- 9. Penalty for taking un- lawful toll.
- 10. Penalty for wilful delay.
- 11. Penalty for refusal or evasion or toll and for obstruction or damage.
- 11A. Penalty for rash navigation and stacking of timber.
- 11B. Power to arrest with-out warrant.
- 11C. Magistrate may assess damage.
- 12. Officers who may make rules for regulation of public ferries.
- 14. Penalty for carrying passengers, etc., without licence.
- 14B. Penalty for conveying passengers etc. in a ferry boat with a submerged load-line or without prescribed free- board.
- 14C. Licence required to ply any vessel on any river etc.
- 14D. Inspection of vessels and suspension of the licence if vessels are not seaworthy etc.
- 14E. Power to prohibit plying of vessel to avert any accident and to requisition vessels etc.
- 14F. Penalty for breach of the provisions of the Act, rules regulations and orders made there- under and the conditions of the licence granted under section 14C.
- 14G. Both the owner and the person in charge to be liable for any breach.
- 15. Trial of offences.
- 16. Clause 1
- 17. Provincial Government may delegate powers.
- 17A. Rules and Regulation
- 17B. Definition of "vessel"
- 17C. Provisions of sections 14A to 14G and 17A and 17B not applicable in certain cases
- 18. Short title.
- 19. Repeal and Saving
- Schedule. Schedule
PDF: pending for this language.