Date:02/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/02/stories/2006090210170300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Boat service for tourists

Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA: The commercial canal of Alappuzha, which passes through the heart of the town starting from Vembanad lake in the east and ending near the Raja Kesavadas Swimming Pool in the west, was opened for boat service on Friday.

The canal was closed for navigation decades back following the closure of the Alappuzha port. The canal is being cleaned and renovated now. Unlike in the past when navigation was mainly for transportation of goods, this time the boat service would be for tourists.

K.C. Venugopal, MLA, inaugurated the boat service. Initially four rowing boats and four pedal boats have been made available for tourists. The boats are owned by the State Tourism Department. They are allowed to cruise from Raja Kesavadas Swimming Pool to Kochukada bridge. The rates for hiring the boats are Rs.10 for the rowing boat, and Rs.15 for the pedal boat for ten minutes. The boats would be allowed to ply up to Alappuzha Boat Jetty after the renovation. Mr. Venugopal said a platform would be built across the canal near the swimming pool and a stage would be constructed for performing cultural programmes there.