RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: Tourists and visitors to Rajamahendravaram will soon get a new way to experience the scenic beauty of the Godavari, with a houseboat facility similar to Kerala’s popular backwater cruises expected to become operational at Saraswathi Ghat within the next 10 days.
A capsule-shaped houseboat equipped with modern amenities has already arrived at the ghat and is ready for operation. Though the boat can accommodate up to 15 people, authorities initially plan to allow only eight guests at a time.
The houseboat features beds, a mini refrigerator, television, air-conditioning and a bathroom, allowing visitors to stay overnight while enjoying views of the river and its natural surroundings.
The boat will cruise for about an hour during sunrise and another hour around sunset before being anchored about 100 metres from the riverbank.
Organisers will provide complimentary breakfast to overnight guests, while they can arrange lunch, dinner and other requirements on request. The tariff is likely to be around Rs 7,500 for 24 hours on regular days and Rs10,000 on weekends.
In another attraction, a floating dining facility, ‘Float-In-Dine’, has also been introduced for families and small groups seeking a candlelight dinner on the river. The open-sided platform, fitted with solar panels, will be anchored about 300 metres from the shore and operate from 7 pm to 11 pm, with one-hour slots. Guests will be taken to the facility by speedboat. The charge is expected to be around Rs 2,500 per hour on regular days and Rs 4,000 on weekends.
District Tourism Officer Venkatachalam told TNIE that the required Tourism Department approvals are expected to be completed within a week to 10 days. He said Minister Kandula Durgesh had also taken the initiative to introduce houseboat tourism on the Godavari.