Hyderabad: None of the speedboats at TTDC Hussainsagar Water Fleet have headlights or indicators though all of them operate till 9 pm.
There are no specific instructions or boards with safety measures for boat riders at the lake. And though the boat operators give manual instructions, most youngsters refuse to abide by them.
While Hussainsagar officials say that there are no rules barring speedboats at night without lights in India, experts differ. “The safety norms are very poor across India. All boats running at night should have lights and indicators, especially in a closed space like Hussainsagar,” said founder president of Hyderabad Yacht Club Suheim Sheikh.
“Safe routes for boats should also be defined as three kinds of boats run in the lake. The authorities can look up International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (Colregs),” he added.
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Hussainsagar Water Fleet officials, meanwhile, said that all the drivers were qualified. “All the 19 drivers are trained at Fisheries Training Institute at Machilipatnam, and have licence. Ten drivers have more than five years of driving in this lake,” said K. Upender, manager of the Water Fleet.
“This accused driver has more than seven years of experience,” he added.
Drivers at the fleet meanwhile admit that apart from giving life jackets, there are no other safety measures ensured during the ride. “We tell the riders not to stand up while moving. However, most of them will argue with us and do whatever they please,” said a driver.
