Nine snakeboats to vie for honours at Thazhathangadi boat race in Keralam’s Kottayam

Nine snakeboats will vie for honours at the Thazhathangadi boat race, part of the Champions Boat League (CBL), on the Meenachil river in Kottayam on October 24.

A meeting held at the Collectorate under the chairmanship of Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan decided to expedite preparations for the event.

A local committee comprising elected representatives, representatives of the Kottayam West Club and officials has been formed to coordinate the preparations. The Tourism department will arrange the required infrastructure and provide prizes and bonuses for the participating snakeboats.

The Major Irrigation department has been entrusted with clearing obstructions along the race track. The Kottayam municipality and Thiruvarpu grama panchayat will cut and clear tree branches and overgrown grass along both banks.

Special measures

The police and Fire and Rescue Services will make security arrangements at the venue. Special measures will be put in place to prevent people from entering the finishing point and to regulate traffic. Small boats will not be allowed on the race track. Additional police personnel will be deployed if required.

The Speaker also directed the authorities to ensure strict adherence to the green protocol. Local bodies have been asked to remove waste, including food waste, immediately after the race.

Medical teams, including ambulances, will be stationed at the starting and finishing points.

District panchayat president Joshi Philip, District Collector Chetan Kumar Meena, municipal chairperson M.P. Santhosh Kumar and District Police Chief K.M. Sabu Mathew attended the meeting.