The State government has issued comprehensive instructions on introducing water sports and various facilities for tourists in major, medium, minor irrigation projects and tanks in Telangana sparing the water bodies earmarked for drinking needs.
Based on the proposal sent to the State government by the District Collector of Vikarabad in May last year, certain instructions were issued during May last. Subsequently, the District Collector of Wanaparthy sought certain clarifications on providing water sports facilities in November last.
In order to promote water sports in the reservoirs and other water bodies managed by the Irrigation Department, the government has decided to set up district level committees headed by District Collectors. The committees would also have Superintendent of Police concerned or his/her representative, a representative of Tourism Development Corporation, representative of Irrigation Department not below the rank of an Executive Engineer and any other expert as felt.
In the orders issued on Saturday, Special Chief Secretary (Irrigation) S.K. Joshi said, specifying the selection process, that TSTDC should be authorised to operate the facilities in case they are organised by the corporation and in case of private operators a transparent selection process should be followed with TSTDC providing a standard bid document along with other terms and conditions.
On the maintenance of reservoirs/water bodies, it is stated that no water sport shall be permitted in the reservoirs exclusively meant for drinking water purposes. In case of reservoirs used for irrigation as well as drinking water purposes it should be ensured that irrigation operations are not hampered by such water exports. Similarly, fishing activities should not be disturbed in any manner.
While carrying out boating and other tourism related activities, the operator should ensure that quality of the reservoir water does not deteriorate. The district level committees are also authorised to take punitive action against violators.
The officials of Irrigation Department and the State Government representatives would have the right to inspect the facilities without any prior notice in all locations to ensure that the organisers follow terms and conditions properly. Besides, all safety measures should be taken with display of sign boards at appropriate places and in case of any damage or mishap only the operators would be responsible and not the Irrigation Department.
