Cruise to Papikondalu resumes

RAJAHMUNDRY: After suspension of cruise between Purushottapatnam and Papikondalu for one week in the Godavari river due to low water level, the irrigation officials have accorded permission for operation of launches and motor boats in the river from Tuesday with some restrictions.As the water level at Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage in Dowleswaram slightly increased to 13.35 metres from 13.6 metres one week ago, the Irrigation Department gave permission for operation of motor boats and launches in the river.The permission for operation of launches and motor boats will be cancelled for 15 days, if the operators stop them upstream or downstream while carrying tourists. The Irrigation Department has identified five dangerous spots in the 38 km course of the river from Purushottapatnam and Papikondalu where the launches face the threat of running aground due to sand reaches.The dangerous spots include Purushottapatnam (starting point), Manutur, Kachhuluru, Vadapalli and Kondamodalu.The big boats ran aground several times at the identified spots during night earlier causing panic among tourists. The irrigation officials along with operators of launches and motor boats inspected the 38 km route. Later, the cruise in the river resumed.