Rajamahendravaram: Amended rules help transport sand in boats

Rajamahendravaram: The government has amended Inland Vessel Rules-2017, which helps to transport sand and other materials in rivers, canals through boats, punts, motor boats etc. As per amended rules, the Port department will accord permission for boats and punts after verifying the applications. Because of this, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is also making arrangements to commence cruise to picturesque Papi Kondalu shortly.

Cruise to Papi Hills and movement of other tourist boats were stopped in the wake of boat capsize in River Godavari at Devipatnam on September15, 2019. Though APTDC accorded permission to its boats, they were stopped as Water Resources Department (WRD) had not given permission. The government will give permissions in three categories such as water sports boats, passenger boats, punts and sand laden boats.

Because of the amendment in vessel rules, as many as 500 boats will move in the rivers and canals for the transportation of sand and other materials.

According to APTDC officials, 10 tourist boats available in Dindi and Rajamahendravaram. For cruise to Papi Hills, Haritha and Sir Arthur Cotton boats are ready. Officials of the Port department issued fitness certificates to them and after getting route permission from WRD, the cruise commences to Papi Kondalu.