Odisha government to launch app for tourists to book boat at Chilika lake
BHUBANESWAR: To ensure hassle-free boat rides by tourists at Chilika lake, the state government has decided to launch a mobile application to facilitate quick booking of boats. Besides, the government has warned of legal action against unlicensed boat owners.
Chilika Development Authority (CDA), which will introduce the app, has started taking feedback from different boat associations operating at the lake, spread over Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts. Nearly 3,000 boats ply in Chilika lake.
“Our purpose is to streamline boat movements and end the exploitation of tourists by some associations. A uniform pay traffic will be introduced depending on the distance and timing of the boat ride. Tourists can pay the booking fee online through the app,” a senior CDA official said.
CDA said the proposed app will have a list of the licenced boats for the safety and convenience of tourists. “We had been receiving complaints that some influential boat and taxi associations were fleecing tourists. Once the app is launched, harassment of tourists will stop,” the officer said.
The government has asked Puri, Khurda and Ganjam district administrations to ensure that only registered and licenced boats ply in the lake. Notably, a number of unregistered boats, mostly fishing vessels have illegally been transporting tourists in the lake. The state government formulated Odisha Boat Rules, 2004 to ensure safe journey of passengers in the inland water transport sector. The directorate of ports and inland water transport grants registration to boats after proper survey whereas district collectors are empowered to renew the boat licences annually.
On Thursday, Puri district collector Balwant Singh held a meeting with members of different boat associations of Satapada. “We stressed on mandatory registration and renewal of boats. Associations were asked to ensure all safety measures, including lifebuoys, lifejackets, firefighting gadgets and first aid box are in place in boats. Fitness and regular maintenance of the boats should be accorded priority,” Singh said.
Six persons had drowned after a boat capsized in Chilika Lake in June 2018. Odisha’s most catastrophic boat tragedy was reported in February 2014 when over 20 persons drowned in Hirakud reservoir in Sambalpur district. The state government had then laid stress on safe transport of people in major water bodies and asked district administrations to check the fitness of boats.