The increased inflow of water into Godavari in the wake of a good monsoon in the upper reaches of the river in Maharashtra so far has led to a substantial increase in the business of the boatmen and fishermen at Basara.
Generally, most of the pilgrims who visit the famous Saraswati temple at Basara, go for joy rides in boats in the river.
M Anand, the district leader of the fishermen’s association, said that hitherto the boatmen were charging Rs 25 per head for a boat ride, but were now charging Rs. 110 per trip irrespective of the number of persons.
They were thus earning Rs 900 a day through four to five trips. He said there were 45 boat operators in the town.
He added that with not much water in the river in summer - the flow being obstructed by Babli and six other projects on the river in Maharashtra -- the boatmen could hardly make Rs 300 a day.
The fishermen leader added that the fish catch had also increased now and the fishermen too were having a good business.