(1)

The owner, operator or master of any mechanically propelled inland vessel, shall make an application, in such form, manner and within such period as may be prescribed by the State Government, to effect any alteration or modification affecting the strength, stability or safety of such mechanically propelled inland vessel along with the respective certificate of survey, in which such alteration or modification have been approved, to the respective Registrar of Inland Vessels, who has issued the certificate of registration.

(2)

The Registrar of Inland Vessels shall, on receipt of application and the certificate of survey and on receipt of such fee, as may be prescribed by the State Government, either cause the alteration or modification to be registered and entered in the certificate of registration, or direct that the vessel be registered anew:

Provided that, where the Registrar of Inland Vessels, directs that the vessel be registered anew, he shall grant a provisional certificate for a specific period describing the vessel as altered or endorse on the existing certificate about the particulars of the alteration.

(3)

Any mechanically propelled inland vessel found plying without complying with sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be detained by such authority or officer as the State Government may, by general or special order, appoint in this behalf.