ALAPPUZHA: In a bid to ensure the
security of houseboats
, the state tourism department,
police and district administration
have now started a project that will track houseboats at
monitoring stations
. Using
GPS, these stations will keep an eye on houseboat traffic in Alappuzha and their routes.
“The government has released Rs 160 lakh for the execution of the project. We have fixed this device in 110 boats and all licenced boats will get this same by March 31. The master control room will be overseen by Keltron. When a houseboat faces an emergency (accident or causalities), alerts will be received by the houseboat owner, police, fire and rescue personnel, port and tourism departments,” said deputy director of tourism Abhilash Kumar T G.
Keltron will be installing Keltron iTAC, a device that can identify real time location, route, stops, distance from shore, SOS and panic buttons, geo-fencing options (a software that uses GPS or RFID to define geographical boundaries) and primary power failure alerts.
“Our intent is to prevent accidents and ensure security for backwater tourism. The state receives a huge revenue from tourism-related activities in the district where houseboats are the major attraction. At the same time, accidents and emergency situations have increased in water transportation. We have deployed Keltron for continuously tracking houseboats and their set course and ensure a good time for holidaymakers,” said Kumar.
He added that houseboat owners need not pay for installing this device. “For three years, the department will conduct the maintenance works. If any houseboat crew fails to operate this device after installation, the message will be displayed at the master control room,” he said.
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