Bhopal: Boat Club officials and private boat operators have traded charges over safety measures and business interests. Boat Club officials said that private boat operators who claims to be under Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), enjoy local political backing. So they hardly bother about safety measures.
Boat Club manager Wasim Khan said, “We try to comply this thing to private players who operate under monitoring of Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC). In fact, private boat operators enjoy politically backing so authority concerned is helpless. We have rescued the customers of private operators on many occasions. We have to deploy motor boats.
Despite various instances of lapses and accidents the private boat operators are running their business without having sufficient safety measures. Whenever, we take action, local politicians appear for damage control so we have to be back foot as we just employees.”
Some numbers
Private boat operator said that rate is Rs50 per head for 30 minutes and for family, it ranges from Rs100 to Rs250 depending upon members. Vijay Kumar said, “Everything is justified in business. Initially, we have to face the brunt of action from boat club developed by MPTDC. But gradually and with passage of time, we settled the issue.
Now we have friendly relations which is only way to do business. Our rates are negotiable but Boat Club rates are fixed and much higher in the name of safety measures.” Boat Club rate for boating: 1. Pedal boat—Rs100 per person 2. Motor Boat—Rs300(3 persons) 3. Jal Pari, Dolphin—Rs1540 for 45 minutes. 4. Cruise for 45 minutes—Rs200 per head (Air condition), Rs65 for children, cruise upper deck and lower deck Rs130 per head.
Authorities pass the buck
ADM Santosh Verma said, “MPTDC looks after boating at Boat Club (Upper Lake). So we do not interfere in their affairs. MPTDC ensure the safety measures, sitting capacity etc. state government has authorized MP Tourism to look after boating and every activities.”
MPTDC MD T Ilyaraja said, “Water bodies are under purview of local bodies, irrigations, PHE among others in the state, so Bhopal’s Upper Lake is under purview of BMC so it is BMC responsibility to regulate boating. We have ensured safety measures in our boat club at the Upper Lake.
Private boat operators are BMC babies and BMC administration should not shrug off its responsibility.”BMC deputy commissioner Rameshwar Nil said, “We have deployed divers but boating is the jurisdiction of MPTDC. They are expected to enforce regulations on private boat operators. Since overloading is one of the common reasons of boat accidents, it is necessary to determine sitting capacity with life saving jackets and other safety measures.”
