Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Tourist boats still off waters

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

Many return disheartened from three picnic spots in the district

RESTED: Boats of the District Tourism Promotion Council lying idle at Akkulam tourist village. — Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar

Thiruvananthapuram: Hundreds of tourists arriving at Akkulam tourist village, Neyyar Dam and Kappil beat a hasty 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 had been 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 a 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 of 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 till date.

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 at Kappil and a speedboat and safari boat at Akkulam.

Certificates delayed

"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 a 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 thrilling ride on other boats, the tourists will have to wait further as only tenders have been invited for overhauling and repairing them. The council says the work is most likely to be completed only after the peak domestic tourist season.

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

Stories in this Section

Agriculture sector turns tech-savvy
Unaware of their participation
Traffic situation worsening
Tourist boats still off waters
All about saving rainwater
Information offices for tourists in four major cities
Tourist boats still off waters
BJP condemns ban on Alappuzha function
Man dies of stab injuries
Two injured in lightning
Holy Week begins
Around the City
In Thiruvananthapuram Today
Reader's Mail

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu