Three years on, Karimnagar cruise worth Rs 1 cr remains a showpiece

A 120-seater motorised cruise built for Rs 1.13 crore at Lower Manair Dam in 2023 remains unused after three years. Departmental coordination issues, low water levels and delayed repairs have also affected other boating facilities in the region.

Karimnagar: A first-of-its-kind boat ride facility in northern Telangana, created at Lower Manair Dam (LMD) at a cost of over Rs 1 crore, has remained idle for three years due to a lack of official supervision and coordination among various departments, leaving tourists frustrated.

With the objective of boosting the tourism sector, a 120-seater double-decker motorised cruise, intended to offer boat rides to tourists at LMD, was built by roping in Hyderabad Boat Builders in 2023 at a cost of Rs 1.13 crore. The modern cruise was designed not only to offer boat rides but also to facilitate parties and get-togethers.

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However, the luxurious cruise has remained idle on the banks of the dam for three years, disappointing tourists and people of the district. Apart from a lack of coordination between the Tourism and Irrigation departments, a decline in the water level of the dam and the need for an auspicious muhurat to inaugurate the cruise are learnt to be causing an inordinate delay in the utilisation of the facility. The cruise, described as a maiden major attraction in northern Telangana if introduced, has now become a showpiece.

Similarly, one of the two jet skis has reportedly developed glitches and has been kept aside due to a delay in repairs. The two skis were procured at a cost of nearly Rs 30 lakh each, with the aim of attracting the youth of the district. Only a 20-seater deluxe boat and four-seater speed boats are currently available for boat rides at the dam.

Meanwhile, a similar motorised boat introduced in the backwaters of Mid Manair Dam has been confined to the shores of the project due to a dip in the water level, upsetting tourists. The boat ride facility in the backwaters of the Sripada Yellampalli project at the historic Kotilingala is evoking a good response from tourists and nature lovers.

Significantly, boat rides at LMD used to fetch the government an income of anywhere between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh every month. Tourists from not only the district but also neighbouring Peddapalli, Jagtial, Mancherial, Adilabad and Nizamabad districts were taking the rides. Pilgrims visiting the ancient Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Devasthanam at Vemulawada and the Sri Anjaneyaswamy temple at Kondagattu were also taking in glimpses of the Manair river on boat rides.