Big boost for tourism in Rushikonda

Visakhapatnam: Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurated a tourism boating control room at Rushikonda through a video-conference facility here on Friday.

The decision was taken as per the instructions of the investigation committee followed by the major tourist boat mishap at Katchuluru. Participating in the inauguration, District Collector V Vinay Chand said tourism centres will work to provide safe travel for tourists. "Registration and operation of boats will be carried out as per the standard operating procedure. About 40,000 people go for boating in Rushikonda annually and the facility aims to increase surveillance and ensure safety," the Collector said.

Staff at the control room monitors the boats through CCTV. Instructions will be given over the mike through the public address system. Monitoring will be continuously coordinated with the boat operators through wireless systems, Vinay Chand said.

The Collector further said that according to the weather department's instructions, tourists will get adequate instructions from time to time. He mentioned that tourists were advised to wear life jackets while traveling on a boat. This apart, they will be tested with breathalyzer before entering the boat.

The Collector said staff from revenue, irrigation, police and tourism departments will work in the control room. Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation will also operate private boats and will start the operations soon, he informed the media persons.

Regional Director of Tourism Department Ram Prasad, District Tourism Officer Purnima Devi, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation General Manager (Transport) Ramakrishna and other officials participated in the event.