KOTTAYAM: The pleasures of staying in a houseboat, a cruise through the network of backwaters and canals enjoying the beauty of paddy fields, coconut palms and the scenic Vembanadu Lake, can definitely be a unique experience that will forever be etched in the mind of every tourist who arrives in Kumarakom. But beware, the placid backwaters can turn deadly any time.
According to houseboat operators, the apathy of the authorities in ensuring a safe path for the boats and variations in the backwaters pose a grave threat to the travellers.
Residents in Kumarakom say that the safety of the tourist boats plying on the Kumarakom backwaters face a high risk owing to the poles piled up for various purposes in the lake.
Around twenty boats have met with accidents in two years colliding with poles erected in the backwaters and the culpable negligence from the authorities has put the lives of thousands of tourists who reach here for pleasure trips, in danger.
“Apart from two concrete poles in the north side of the Pathiramanal island, a large number of coconut tree poles are erected in various parts of the backwaters, predominantly for marking the waterways. However, these poles got submerged when the water level in Vembanad Lake increased. Only highly experienced drivers can spot the location of these poles,” says Shanoj Kumar, secretary of the Houseboat Owners’ Society in Kumarakom.
Shanoj added that they have raised the issue before the authorities concerned many a time, but they are apathetic.