Having earned revenue of almost Rs.10 crore through boat house operations during 2010-11, Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has chalked out plans to procure more boats and replace the old and condemned ones.
During the current year, TTDC will procure 114 boats including 32-seater cruise boats for Pykara and Mudaliarkuppam and a four-seater speed boat for Muttukadu at an overall cost of Rs.62 lakh.
Currently, TTDC operates 513 boats in various boat houses such as Muttukadu, Mudaliarkuppam, Yercaud, Kodaikanal, Udhagamandalam, Pitchavaram, Pykara and Courtallam.
Talking to The Hindu , a TTDC official said: “As per the plan, Udhagamandalam Boat House will get a major chunk of 40 boats (Rs.15.53 lakh) followed by Kodaikanal 25 (Rs.9.99 lakh), Pitchavaram 17 (Rs.15.87 lakh), Courtallam and Pykara ten each. Besides, Rs.85 lakh have been set aside for purchase of 44 Out Boat Motors, of which 27 are replacements.”
TTDC's Mudaliarkuppam Raindrop Boat House was the first to get water scooters in 2007. Encouraged by its success, TTDC introduced it in Muttukadu too. Very soon, Mudaliarkuppam will add three 8-seater motor boats to its inventory.
Muttukadu Boat House Manager R. Samson said, “We already have two water scooters and they are preferred mostly by the youngsters. Only one scooter is functioning for the time being. On weekends, customers have to wait for a long duration. Though older people want to enjoy the ride, they are afraid of sitting on the water scooter. Hence, we are going in for a four-seater boat that offers joy ride with safety.”
“For the last few months, we are getting a large posse of corporate visitors to our Beach Island and Boat House for social gathering, networking and birthday party celebrations. As the distance between boat house and Beach Island offers a great experience to travel by water scooter, several people come here even during rainy days. In spite of increasing volumes, we have not increased the tariff for water scooters,” said Mudaliarkuppam Raindrop Boat House Manager C. Krishnamurthy.
“Mudaliarkuppam and its Beach Island are a goldmine waiting to be exploited. It would get better exposure, if it were given to private players,” said a travel operator.
