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."