Kolkata: KMDA nod to petrol rescue boats at Rabindra Sarobar

KOLKATA: The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) on Thursday issued a formal permission letter allowing the rowing clubs to operate petrol-run rescue boats at Rabindra Sarobar for any emergency during rowing activities on certain terms and conditions.
"The permission letter that was officially issued on Thursday evening will be sent to all rowing clubs and associations by Friday morning," said a KMDA official.
As per the letter, the rowing clubs will have to follow all safety and security measures as mentioned in the SOP. The authorities included a mandatory clause for the rowing clubs to check periodically the condition of the boats before any rowing activity. This clause has been mentioned in the letter following last Saturday's incident, in which a rowing boat had overturned during practice.
The rowing club authorities have been asked to install fog lights or emergency lights at a certain height of the boats and these lights will blink so that rowing can be stopped immediately in case of bad weather or any other emergency. "The rowing clubs should also adhere to the forecast by Met office and weather reports before conducting any rowing activity," said a KMDA official. KMDA authorities will hold weekly review meetings with the rowing clubs on the prevailing conditions. During rowing activities, there will be surprise visits thrice a day by KMDA, police and disaster management groups to check whether all the parameters are being followed or not.
Rowing associations said their SOPs are already in place and now they will be able to show the papers if any question is raised over rowing and operating petrol-run rescue boats.
"We are happy to have a formal confirmation. Many people have been raising questions over the time and causing problems for the sportspersons for a long time," said West Bengal Rowing Association president, Subhasis Dasgupta.