Motor boat service across the Cauvery from Poolampatti boathouse near Edappadi resumed on Saturday. The service had been suspended for the last 10 days as the river was in spate. The barrage across the river was built to connect Poolampatti in Salem and Nerinjipettai in Erode. With the release of surplus water from the Mettur Dam in River Cauvery, the official machinery ordered the suspension of boat service in the interest of public safety. Discharge of water from the dam was stepped down for the past few days due to the drop in inflow of water into the Mettur Dam. Following this, the local people demanded the resumption of motor boat service across River Cauvery.
As farm operations have commenced in full-fledged manner in the area, the local Uzhavar Sangam urged the district authorities to accord permission for resuming the boat service. Pillukurichi Natesan, secretary of the Sangam, presented petition in this regard to the officials.
A team of officials led by R. Sukumar, District Revenue Officer, inspected the flow of water in the river on Friday.
Following the green signal given by Mr. Sukumar, the motor boat service was resumed on Saturday. The boat operators have been strictly warned to adopt all the security aspects.
The local officials will continue to monitor the operation of boat service, official sources said.