Alappuzha: Elaborate arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the 66th edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR) to be held on Punnamada backwaters on Saturday. Governor P.Sathasivam will inaugurate the boat race.Allu Arjun, South Indian film actor, will be the chief guest. As many as 81 boats including 25 snake boats will participate in the event. Union minister of state Alphonse Kannanthanam, State ministers G. Sudhakaran. P.Thilothaman, Thomas Isaac and Kadakampally Surendran will attend the function. Members of Kerala Blasters team will cheer the teams.
The boat race will be inaugurated on Punnamada Backwaters at 2 pm. Meanwhile, heats of small boats will begin at 11am. The race of snake boats will be flagged off at 3.15 pm and the prize distribution for the winners will be conducted at 5.30 pm.
‘’Tight security arrangements have also been made for the boat race. As many as 2,086 policemen including 15 DySPs and 33 circle inspectors and 335 sub- inspectors will be deployed in and around the venue of the event on Saturday. There will be medical teams led by doctors and a quick reaction team of the police wing to handle any emergency situation during the boat race,'' a district administration official said.Seating arrangements have been made for as many as 17,000 people for watching the boat race. Nehru Pavilion has been reserved for VVIPs and VIPs. The people should reach this pavilion through the road leading to the finishing point.
