By IANS,
Thekkady (Kerala) : More than 100 days after 45 tourists drowned at a lake here, five boats ferried tourists Friday after being certified fit for cruising.
“All these boats that operated today (Friday) have been certified fit for travel. We are also ensuring that all those who undertake boating wear life jackets as we can’t afford any more risks,” Forest Minister Binoy Viswam told IANS.
Legislator E.S. Bijimol was one of the passengers on the boat that passed the lake through the forests.
“We have ensured that henceforth all mandatory safety requirements would be in place and this would be a permanent affair too,” Bijimol said.
On Sep 30 last year, a boat carrying 87 passengers capsized in a lake here and 45 tourists drowned.
After the incident, Thekkady wore a deserted look. Boating through the forests was the highlight of Thekkady tourist destination where sighting of wild animals, especially the wild elephants, which move freely on either side of the lake is an enjoyable one.