Pleasure boating launched at Vedamirtha lake in Vedaranyam

The quiet Vedamirtha lake in Vedaranyam wore a festive look on Saturday as School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi launched pleasure boating service under the initiative of the Vedaranyam Municipality and district administration. This adds a new recreational attraction for residents and visitors.

Accompanied by District Collector P. Akash and Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation chairman N. Gowthaman, the Minister inaugurated the facility and tried his hand at a pedal boat ride.

The facility is aimed at drawing visitors who come to the Kodiyakkarai Bird Sanctuary, offering them additional options to explore within Vedaranyam. For local residents, the new service is expected to provide a welcome recreational space.

According to Vedaranyam Municipality sources, the boating service has been approved for operation for one year. The fleet comprises two double water cycles, two single water cycles, and two duck-shaped family boats — one accommodating five persons and the other four — making six boats available on the 15-acre Vedamirtha lake. Following a tender process, the contract was awarded to MTR Marine Sales and Service, which has agreed to share 20% of the revenue with the municipality.

T. Dinesh Prabu, proprietor of MTR Marine, told The Hindu that the “water cycles” introduced were relatively new to public use in Tamil Nadu. “Such cycles are mostly seen in North India, and largely in luxury hotels. We have set them up here for the public. Unlike traditional pedal boats, these come with both a gearbox and a propeller, making pedalling smoother and easier,” he said.

Municipality officials said the operator must provide the boats at its own cost, appoint two certified lifeguards with accreditation from a national water sports agency, and use only BIS-certified equipment. Life jackets and first aid kits are mandatory on all boats, and accidents will be the sole responsibility of the licensee. Fees must be collected using receipts approved by the municipality, with records submitted for inspection every 15 days.

Tourism push

District administration sources said the project forms part of a broader plan to develop eco-tourism in Nagapattinam district.

“Similar pleasure boating services are being readied at Thamarai Kulam in Nagapattinam Municipality, and efforts are under way to launch water sports activities in Velankanni, in consultation with stakeholders,” the sources said.