Robust public patronage for boating noticeable in Andipalayam Lake, decks cleared for revival of boating in Thirumoorthy Dam

Revival of boating at Thirumoorthy Dam expected to attract visitors after 15 years, promising revenue generation for local body.

After Andipalayam Lake where boating introduced recently has attracted encouraging public patronage, boating entertainment for visitors is expected to be revived in a few months at Thirumoorthy Dam after a gap of 15 years.

At the request of the Tourism Department, the Tiruppur district administration has prevailed upon the Dhali Town Panchayat to revive boating at the dam. The local body had discontinued the boating for safety reasons.

The local body, upon being granted permission to use ₹5 lakh for the purpose, is understood to have placed orders with a Kolkata-based company for purchase of boats.

The scope for revenue generation from boating is high as there is substantial footfall every weekend to the Amanalingeswarar Temple (also known as Thirumoorthy Temple) close to the Dam and to the Panchalinga Water Falls which is about one km away from the temple, a senior official of Dhali Town Panchayat said.

The tariff will be determined at a sitting of the local body. Prior to that, the sanction for boating will have to be obtained from the Safety Committee constituted by the district administration, the official said, adding that it could take at least three months for the boating to get operational.

The existing Boat House of Dhali Town Panchayat at the Dam embankment also has to be spruced up. The Town Panchayat is operating the Boat House by paying monthly rent to the Water Resources Department.

At the Andipalayam Lake where boating was introduced a month ago, the public patronage has been on the rise. On an average, up to 4,000 visitors throng the location, District Tourism Officer T. Aravindkumar said. During the weekends, the crowd gets bigger. Footfall increases sequentially from Friday to Sunday, he said.