Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Tourist boats still off waters

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

Many return disheartened from picnic spots

Thiruvananthapuram: Hundreds of domestic tourists arriving at Akkulam tourist village, Neyyar Dam and Kappil beat a retreat as boat services have been suspended in the three picnic spots for over a month. With schools closed for summer vacation, these tourist spots are witnessing a steady flow of domestic tourists. Most of them return on coming to know that boat rides are not possible.

The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) now finds it difficult to make ends meet, as the boat services in these places were its main source of income. The average daily collections from its boat clubs in the three places were above Rs. 7,000.

The services were suspended on February 21 following the boat capsize in the Bhoothathankettu reservoir, off the Thattekkad bird sanctuary, in Ernakulam district, drowning 15 children and three teachers.

Minister for Home Kodiyeri Balakrishnan issued instructions that only boats having fitness certificates and meeting safety norms should be allowed to operate in lakes and reservoirs. Most the 42 boats of the DTPC did not have the mandatory fitness certificates issued by the Chief Inspector of Boats. Although the council took the initiative to get the certificates for at least the seven boats procured in 2006, these have not come through yet.

Of these boats, one open safari boat and a safari boat are in the boat club at Neyyar Dam, two water scooters and a safari boat in Kappil and a speedboat and safari boat in Akkulam. "The delay in getting fitness certificate for seven boats is the impediment in commencing boat services," DTPC Secretary N. Subramoniam told The Hindu . Although fitness certificates are not needed for water scooters and pedal boats, the council authorities have decided not to take any chance.

The Inspector of Boats, Alappuzha, had inspected the seven boats following the letter G2/2007, dated February 22, from the secretary. The report was forwarded to the Chief Inspector of Boats, Ernakulam. Till date, no reply has come. Chief Inspector of Boats V.K. Viswakumar told The Hindu over telephone that he was not satisfied with the inspection. "We have written to the DTPC informing them that the boats will be inspected again on April 11 and 12," he added.

For a thrill-ride in other boats, the tourists would have to wait further as only tenders have been invited for overhauling and repairing them.

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