Operation of tourist boats suspended

Vigilance officials say they are not registered

Officials of the Vigilance Department on Sunday found absence of registration papers for the tourist boats being operated by the Forest Department at the Coringa wildlife sanctuary and suspended their operation till the registration is done.

Of the nine boats being allocated to the sanctuary, four boats were under repair and the remaining five boats were being used to take the tourists into the sea.

Though the boats possessed fitness certificates and were equipped with life jackets. The absence of registration papers, however, came to the light during the vigilance inspection.

When contacted, Forest Range Officer T. Sri Sai told

The Hindu that confusion over the jurisdiction was the reason behind the delay in getting the boats registered.

“The registration is under process. At first we have approached the Ports Department, as the boats are being operated in the sea. After verifying the rule position, the port authorities made it clear that they are not supposed to get the boats registered,” he said, adding that the department now approached the Irrigation Department. “In all likelihood, the registration process will be completed within a week from now,” he said.