Tourism Boat Operators Protest Safety Audit Delay on Godavari River Route

Tourism boat operators are raising serious concerns over a prolonged safety audit delay impacting their operations on the Godavari River. Although an official order to suspend services for safety inspections was issued on June 13 by Rampachodavaram RDO K. Swathi, no comprehensive assessment has been conducted on the boats designated for the popular Papikondalu route from the Gandi Pochamma Ferry Point.

These tourism boat services typically operate from the Dasara festival in October through the onset of the flood season in July, serving a high volume of travelers. The intended audit was designed to verify valid operational permits, ensure the structural integrity of the vessels, and conduct emergency mock drills to evaluate the preparedness of staff. However, with more than two weeks passing since the suspension order, operators are facing significant financial strain and uncertainty.

Concerns Over Safety Audit Delays and Operational Impact

Boat operators highlight that they strictly adhere to safety protocols, including mandatory annual license renewals. Furthermore, they perform rigorous maintenance, such as overhauling their vessels at a dry dock every five years, incurring substantial costs to meet regulatory standards. They expressed frustration that their livelihoods are being impacted by the delay, especially while they observe other tourism boats continuing to operate from the Pochavaram Ferry Point, located roughly 70 km from Bhadrachalam.

Speaking on the ongoing situation, boat operator G.V.V.S.N. Murali Krishna stated that the group is urgently appealing to local authorities to expedite the safety audit process. He emphasized that the time window for operations is rapidly closing as the flood season approaches, necessitating an immediate resolution to allow them to resume their services to Papikondalu. The delay is not only affecting the operators but also causing disappointment among tourists who have made advance bookings.

In response to these mounting concerns, Polavaram District Collector K. Dinesh Kumar indicated that the administration is actively working on the matter. The district has reportedly studied safety practices implemented in other regions, such as Kerala, and has established new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for tourism boat navigation on the Godavari River. Authorities are tasked with balancing the urgent need for stringent safety measures with the livelihood concerns of local boat operators.