Cleared Utsav//Guntur: The launch services from Nagarjunasagar to historical Buddhist museum at Nagarjunakonda were resumed on Wednesday. The tourism department has put the tourist boat back on service after getting required permissions from the ports department. The launch services were suspended about a month ago following an accident involving a tourist boat near Papikondalu on Godavari waters which killed about 22 people.Taking the incident with a serious note, the state government suspended all the boating services operated both by the AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) and private players. The government noticed that lack of coordination between the government agencies had helped the private players to operate the boats without requisite permissions and safety standards.While the local police and revenue departments used to inspect the safety infrastructure in the boats, the water resources department used to grant the permissions for operating the services depending on the water levels in particular river or stream. Interestingly, the tourism department was left without any role in allowing the boating services in waterways despite being the nodal agency to handle the tourist services.After the boat mishap in Godavari waters, the state government appointed a high-level committee to look into the issue and suggest remedial measures. Subsequently, department of ports has been authorised to inspect the safety parameters to be followed in the tourists and commercial boats or launches to be operated in the waterway in the state.“We have secured all the permissions required to operate the boat services to Nagarjunakonda,” said joint manager, APTDC, P Babji. He said that they would operate 2-3 trips daily depending on the tourist rush. While APTDC charges Rs 150 per person for two-way journey, archaeology department collects Rs 20 per person to visit the museum.He explained boat services to Srisailam from Nagarjuna Sagar would be resumed once the water is released from Srisailam to Nagarjuna Sagar.

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