T.N. PWD’s ‘Tamizhannai’ boat gets nod from Kerala govt; to operate after 12 years

T.N. PWD’s ‘Tamizhannai’ boat gets nod from Kerala govt; to operate after 12 years

Tamil Nadu PWD owned boat - ‘Tamizhannai’ - which was docked for about 12 years in Thekkady waters, is all set to be back in operation, officials said on Sunday.

Following the clearance from Kerala government, the officials here took the boat on trial about two days ago and various tests were underway.

In 2014, the boat, which was primarily used by the PWD officials to visit Mullaperiyar dam, was suspended after the Kerala government officials raised objections. The ‘Tamizhannai’, a steel boat with a 130 HP could carry up to two metric tons of goods. Apart from ‘Tamizhannai’, the PWD owned boats - Blue Bell and Mangayarkarasi, which were in use, were also suspended for multiple reasons.

According to the officials, only two boats namely Jal Ratna and Kannagi have been in use since 1984 and 1986 belonging to the TN PWD. Though many associations, including the TN Farmers’ had represented to operate more number of boats, it were not heeded to for different reasons.

It is said that Kerala government operated 19 boats in the stretch under Tourism, Water Resources, Forest and Police departments.

The cordial relations between Tamil Nadu and Kerala governments had been attributed as the main factor for the lifting of the ban imposed on ‘Tamizhannai’ boat.