THEKKADY: Boatrides in the Thekkady lake, suspended after the boat tragedy on September 30, will resume on Friday.
The decision to restart the cruises was taken by the Forest Department and the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation on Thursday following the Chief Inspector of Boats (CIB) issuing fitness certificates a couple of days ago.
‘Vanajyotsna’ and ‘Periyar’ - the two double-decker boats of the Forest Department - besides the KTDCowned ‘Jalaraja’, ‘Jalatharangini’ and ‘Jalamohini’, will start plying again in the lake. In line with the CIB directives, the seating capacity of all the boats has been brought down and the number of crew, including life guards, has been raised for each vessel.
Though fitness certificate has been granted to KTDC’s Jala Jyothi also, it cannot be used as a passenger boat since it is classified as a cargo vessel. Also, the upper decks of the KTDC boats have been done away with.
Resumpiton of boat rides in the lake has been a burning issue in Thekkady and Kumily these past few months, as people in the area are almost totally dependent on income from the tourism sector. There have been many demonstrations at Kumily, demanding resumption of boat services, especially during the season.
To check procurement of boating tickets by touts and guides, the authorities have decided to allow entrance only based on the pass issued at the entrance gate (checkpost) of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Those with these passes have to obtain boating tickets later from the counters near the landing point 3 km away.
The entrance fee at the checkpost for domestic tourists is Rs 25 and for foreigners Rs 300. While the Forest Department’s two boats will charge Rs 45 per head for a boat ride, the lower-deck cruise by KTDC boats will cost Rs 75 per head. Indications are that KTDC has decided to hike the rates to Rs 150 per head to meet the additional expenditure incurred on account of the reduction in number of seats and the additional staff on the vessel.