Director of ports to give boat permits

Rajamahendravaram: Godavari Head Works executive engineer R Mohan Rao has said that director of ports in Kakinada will accord permissions to the ordinary boats and sand laden boats moving in the rivers, instead of Irrigation office in Dowleswaram.

Speaking to ‘The Hans India’ here on Thursday, he said as per Inland Vessels Act-2017, director of ports would give permission to the boats relating to the districts of Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari and West Godavari. Rules were strengthened relating to the movements of boats and stern action also be taken against the respective boat owners, if they violate the rules.

Boat section office can give necessary information on how to get fitness certificate and a help desk also be started in this regard. Licence is must to boat drivers as well as to the swimmers and insurance to the boat was important, he added.

About 70 motor launches and 300 sand boats were moving in the river. It was decided to arrange private agencies at the jetties also.Tourism boats should get permission from Water Resources Department (WRD). Permissions will not be given to tourism boats unless they fulfil necessary parametres.