Mandi/Bilaspur: Following a report by The Newz Radar, tourism authorities in Himachal Pradesh have initiated action against illegal cruise operations on Govind Sagar Lake. District Tourism Officer and Deputy Director, Manoj Kumar, issued a formal notice to M/s Himalayan Adventures, demanding an explanation within a week regarding their unregistered cruise operations on the lake.
The notice, referenced as letter number 992, questioned why cruises and shikaras were being operated without proper registration, in direct violation of the Adventure Water Sports Act, Chapter 1, Rule 2(a). Kumar further warned that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation would lead to severe legal consequences under the Water Sports and Allied Activities Act, 2021.
*The Newz Radar’s Report Exposed the Violation*
Last Wednesday, The Newz Radar published an in-depth report highlighting the unregistered operation of a cruise, brought from Kochi, which was launched on Govind Sagar Lake without obtaining the mandatory Indian Registration Ship Certification. This breach of regulations was especially alarming as the cruise was officially inaugurated by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on October 29, 2024.
The report revealed that the cruise was not certified before its launch, a critical requirement for the operation of any watercraft. The lack of certification posed significant security risks, not only for the public but also for the dignitaries present at the event, including the Chief Minister and several prominent local politicians.
*Dignitaries Present During the Inauguration*
The inauguration of the cruise was attended by several distinguished guests, including Ghumarwin MLA Rajesh Dharmani, Technical Education Minister RS Bali, former Minister Ram Lal Thakur, former MLA Bambar Thakur, Congress leader Vivek Kumar, District Congress President Anjana Dhiman, and ADGP Satwant Atwal, among others. These dignitaries participated in a ride on the newly launched cruise, yet neither the administration nor tourism officials raised concerns about the lack of proper registration.
*Administrative Oversight and Legal Violations*
Despite the presence of key administrative and tourism officials at the launch event, the unregistered operation of the cruise went unnoticed. According to regulations, all watercraft must be certified by the Indian Registration Ship Certification before being launched. This oversight is not only a legal violation but also poses potential security risks for both the public and government officials.
*Stern Action Likely*
The tourism department has now taken note of the issue and issued a notice to M/s Himalayan Adventures, seeking an explanation. If the company fails to provide a satisfactory response within the stipulated time frame, legal action will be taken under the applicable provisions.
The swift response from the authorities reflects the impact of The Newz Radar’s investigative journalism, which brought this significant administrative oversight to public attention. It remains to be seen how the authorities will handle the situation and whether they will put an end to illegal operations in Govind Sagar Lake.
