Port Director asks boat operators to renew licence

Rajamahendravaram: Many tourist boat operators are transporting tourists to Papikondalu without renewing their licences, which were expired by April 30. Recently the state government issued an order entrusting the task of issuing licences to motor boats to Director of Ports in Kakinada. According to reports, one motor boat owner renewed his licence against 67. 

From all these years boat superintendent of water resources department (WRD) at Dowleswaram used to issue licences. With this change, many motor launch operators are not going to Kakinada to get licenses for renewals. Lack of co-ordination between the two departments was also another reason for boat operators not going to Kakinada.

Currently the operators are transporting tourists from Pochamma Gandi in East Godavari and Singampalli of Polavaram mandal in West Godavari, which is 45 kms away from Rajamahendravaram. They are taking tourists to boating points by buses from Rajamahendravaram because of ongoing works relating to Polavaram project.

According to boat superintendent Ratna Raju, licence is must to motor launch or boat operator to move in river. Transporting of tourists to Papikondalu without proper license is against rules. 

According to sources of directorate of ports, the office is reminding the launch and boat operators to apply for renewal for two months but in vain. Steps were taken to sanction renewals and licences within two days to the operators. Eight operators applied for licences without proper information and the office reminded them, but they are not responding, the sources added.