The lurking danger in the backwaters

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The tourism spots in the state, where boating facilities are available, pose great threat owing to the sand-bed formation on the boating channels.A recent study by the Hydrographic Survey Wing of the Kerala Government on the Vembanad lake found that the backwater tours were not safe. On the Alappuzha-Kumarakom route, it has been found that there are several spots, where the vessel routes are blocked owing to the accumulation of sand.Chief hydrographer A P Sunderalal told Express that it had been found that in several areas, the water depth was less than three metres. A ride through these channels can cause accidents.The Vembanad lake survey found that the Alappuzha-Thannermukkom channel was safe as there was sufficient water depth.It stresses the need for condcuting surveys at all tourism spots for ensuring the safety of passengers.According to the shape and size of the boats being used in the state, the depth of the channels should be at least three metres.All-Kerala Houseboat Owners’ Association president R R Joshey Raj said that there were no proper channels for operating the boat services in Alappuzha and Kumarakom. Several instances such as rudder of the boats hitting the sand-bed or the stumps, which are placed for detecting the route of national waterways, were reported many times.“The need for a channel was brought to the notice of authorities several times and no action was taken. The channels should have three metres depth for the smooth operation,” he said. Recently, the Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD) approached the Survey Wing to conduct a hydrographic survey at the ferry boat service routes, when they found that the ferry services often get stuck on the sand-beds, mainly on the boat routes in Alappuzha. However, the Survey Wing could not undertake the work owing to lack of sufficient funds. The service of the Hydrographic Survey Wing is now provided free of cost only to the Harbour Engineering Department and the Port Department.The survey was conducted at all minor ports in the state during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The dredging works are being conducted after finding out the results.Sand-bed formation was found regularly at Munambam and Azheekkal port, where dredging was conducted after each survey.The only permanent solution to the problem is the change in alignment of the channel, which will incur huge expenditure.