The Times of India reports that ferry services between the Gateway of India and Elephanta Island near Mumbai have been significantly reduced after local authorities started implementing stricter safety regulations in the wake of a collision that left over 15 people dead in those same waters earlier this month.
Operators indicated that regulations including those that require passengers to wear lifejackets have led to a drop in visitor numbers, thus compelling any available vessels to sail on about half as many trips on the route as they used to do each day.
A representative of a local ferry operators' association said that many passengers refuse to wear lifejackets, hence their decision not to ride the vessels plying the route.
The regulations were enforced following the incident on Wednesday, December 18, when an Indian Navy speedboat conducting engine trials in Mumbai Harbour collided with the ferry Neel Kamal, which had more than 100 embarked passengers at the time.
The ferry capsized due to the force of the impact, and fifteen people, including ferry passengers and some crewmembers on the navy vessel, are confirmed dead.
The navy said in a statement on X that the speedboat's crew lost control due to an engine malfunction, thus causing the vessel to crash into the ferry.