The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : New boats awaiting Ooty tourists

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 14, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

New boats awaiting Ooty tourists

By D. Radhakrishnan

UDHAGAMANDALAM, APRIL 13. With the first day of the Tamil month Chithirai being marked by an increased influx of tourists here, new boats were introduced in the Udhagamandalam lake. Shaped like swans, the two and four-seater pedal boats, numbering four, were in demand. More such boats were expected shortly, G. Kannan, Boat House Manager told The Hindu here today. In another fortnight the lake would have a new boathouse. Work on a Rs. 35-lakh wooden, semi-permanent structure on the far side of the lake was nearing completion.

To begin with, there would be three jetties, from which 30 new pedal and row boats would be operated. The boats were being purchased at a cost of Rs. 10.50 lakhs. While there were 90 motor, pedal and row boats now, 10 pedal boats were being added.

Claiming that the additional boathouse and the increased number of boats would not lead to congestion, he said that last week certain improvements were carried out to the jetties. Pointing out that on an average 7,000 tourists were now visiting the lake, he said this month there was a 7-8 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period last year. To a question, he said the number of persons who visited the lake during 2003-04 was 11 lakhs up from 10.5 lakhs during 2002-03.

Temporary summer jobs had been provided to 20 students and 10 more boys would employed shortly. They would help the permanent staff in running the boathouse till May-end. Work on a `strolling path' along the lake from the boathouse to the Mini Garden was in progress and it was expected to be ready by the second season (September/October).

The waterspread, which was only 18 acres last year due to the weed (water hyacinth) menace, was now 65 acres, thanks to bioremediation, now in progress at a cost of Rs. 1.74 crores. Though pollution was yet to be tackled, the lake was wearing an attractive look, thanks to the "Ooty Lake Bioremediation" scheme.

Stating that the tourism and travel industry here was keen on cleaning of the lake and its proper maintenance, N. Chandrashekar, secretary, the Nilgiris Hotels and Restaurants Association, expressed the hope that all sections, including the hoteliers, would extend cooperation in maintaining it properly.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu