The Times of India 12.03.2013
Depleting water level in Tapi hits water sports
SURAT: Depleting water
level in the upstream of Tapi and floating aquatic plants such as
hydrilla and water hyacinth are posing a threat to the smooth operations
of water sports in the river, the city’s only entertainment and leisure activity.
Blues Adventure, which is running the water sports activity in the
upstream of Tapi, has been forced to close down the operations for the
past two days with the water level in the weir-cum-causeway decreasing
to 4.25 metre from 5 metre. Most of the water rides, including speed
boats, developed technical snag due to the shallow water and presence of
floating aquatic plants and algae.
The operator was forced to
close down the water rides on the weekend as the water level in the
river decreased significantly, forcing hundreds of residents to leave
the venue.
In a letter to Surat Municipal Corporation
(SMC), Blues Adventures has stated that the activity may be closed down
in the near future due to the depleting water level at the
weir-cum-causeway and nuisance of the water plants that are damaging the
boats.
Ishwar Dholakia of Blues Adventure, a subsidiary of Goldi Hotels Private Limited run by the DTC sightholder company, Shree Ramkrishna Export,
told TOI, “The water sports facility was recently inaugurated. Without
the required water level at the weir-cum-causeway, we would not be able
to run the services any longer.”
Dholakia added, “We have
written to the civic authorities urging them to make arrangements with
the Ukai authorities to maintain the water level at the
weir-cum-causeway at five metre. Also, that the civic body take up
dredging activity in the river. If Ukai authorities do not release water
in sufficient quantity, then we may be forced to shut down the
services.”
On an average around 300 people visit the venue daily and the rush increases to 800 during the weekends.
A senior SMC said, “Things are not in our control. We have been
requesting the Ukai authorities to release water in sufficient quantity
in order to satisfy the drinking water needs of the city. The civic body
is also facing difficulties in operating its water pumping stations as
the water level has come down to 4.25 metre.”
