Review meet on boat safety measures

Rajamahendravaram: In the wake of tragic boat capsize in river Krishna at Vijayawada recently, the district administration stopped the boat movements in river Godavari mainly, the cruise between Rajamahendravaram and Papi Kondalu on Thursday. The district administration had been checking the boats in all aspects on Wednesday and Thursday.

Participating in a review meeting held at sub-collector's office here on Thursday, joint collector K Mallikarjun said that plans are afoot to provide insurance facility to the tourists who travel in these boats.

Officials of water resources department were directed to prepare a navigation map between Rajamahendravaram and Papi Kondalu immediately for the benefit of tourists and for smooth operation of boats, he added. Permissions will be given to boat operators after providing life jackets, first-aid boxes, fire extinguishers etc in their boats, the sub-collector informed.

Sub-collector A Mallikarjuna said that overloading was banned in the boats and stern action would be taken against the respective boat operators if they operate the boats violating the rules. The government was very much particular in this regard as thousands of tourists were showing interest in River tourism, he said.

The joint collector asked officials of water resources department and boat operators to fix a ticket price for boat travel, not mounting financial burden on the tourists.