Coracles will finally be out once again in Hoganekkal from Friday after a 53-day long hiatus following an accident, in which six of a family were killed late August.
A two-day trial run of coracles concluded on Thursday, under the supervision of Dharmapuri Collector K.Vivekanandan and Superintendent of Police J. Loganathan. They reportedly put in place an elaborate, multi-layered safety system.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Vivekanandan said it is a “three-plus-three-plus-three safety protocol,” elaborating on the system put in place systematically over the course of two months.
After last week’s medical examination of 414 coracle drivers here, they have been classified into three categories - A, B, and C - based on their age. Also coracle rides will now be classified as short, medium and long distance. Older coracle drivers (50 years and 60 years) will be allowed short trips up to Maamarathukadavu, deemed risk-free and requiring least exertion on their part.
The B category drivers below 50 years may cross Maamarathukadavu, climb up to the water tower for a bird’s eye view of the falls; and the C category of young drivers will take the long stretch around the falls up to Maanthittu. This stretch requires able-bodied men, since it entails walking along carrying the coracle and then boarding for a distance.
Boarding points
The drivers will wear uniforms with a visible mark of their classification. Two boarding points, at Maamarathukadavu and Thoppachikal, have been set up, and they will be equipped with a weighing machine and a breath analyser, staffed by three officials at each point. Six officials will watch over the boarding points. Each coracle will be allowed a cumulative weight of 350 to 400 kilogram. Children under 10 years of age and elderly above 70 years will not be allowed in coracles. “There are adequate checks and balances now,” says Mr.Vivekanandan.
On Wednesday night, a new engine-propelled boat was bought from Bengaluru. “The capsize-free motorised boat is an additional rescue tool and is being assembled. It was tested in the still waters of Ulsoor lake there, but needs to be tested here in the live waters for performance.”
Over 127 coracles have been cleared after safety verification. They will be vetted every three months and coracle drivers will be screened once in six months.
