Kollam-Alappuzha backwater cruise remains suspended
The Kollam, Alappuzha is the longest backwater cruise stretch in Kerala spanning across 90 kms. (Photo: DC/File)
KOLLAM: The number of tourists visiting Kollam has fallen drastically this tourist season as the famous Kollam – Alappuzha backwater cruise has been suspended for the last five months. The service was halted to facilitate the construction of a road bridge at Pallana across National Waterway III stretching along the circuit. Though the construction works were completed a few weeks back, the authorities were not given “permission” to restart the services from Kollam.
“The much sought after water cruise by the tourists including foreigners has also found a mention in Lonely Planet, the bible of tourists. The cruise has been stopped about six months ago and has not yet been started. Many tour packages to Kollam have been cancelled by tourists after they found out over telephone and the internet that the cruise has been cancelled,” said K. Ajayakumar, a backwater cruise operator to DC.
The Kollam, Alappuzha is the longest backwater cruise stretch in Kerala spanning across 90 kms which takes almost 8 hours to complete. Many private operators and the District Tourism Promotion Council have stopped their houseboat service owing to the commencement of bridge construction work in June. The bridge has been constructed near Kumarakodi at Pallana over National Waterway III. The spans erected for the construction of the new bridge should be removed before reinstating the services.
“The construction was by the Inland Navigation Department. We have not been told to restart the services from Kollam. The permission has to be sent in from the DTPC Alappuzha,” said B. Unnikrishnan, ADM who is in charge of the DTPC Kollam.
Only two ferry services by the Water Transport Authority have been operating along the stretch ever since. The DTPC has also abandoned the much hyped tourism package incorporating the backwater cruise circuit of Ashtamudi Lake, Thenmala adventure spots, and the beaches in the district.
( Source : dc )
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