The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) is all set to take the final decision to start the ambitious project of boating in Sursagar Lake after a gap of 15 years. About three firms have come forward to offer their services for boating facilities,and top officials are expected to finalise the deal soon. Senior officials said most aspects of the project have been finalised. The deal will be finalised with one of the contractors in the next fortnight. The tenders for the project were floated in December 2008 and the officials maintained that they are planning to start the services by mid-2009. It was in 1993 that the VMC had stopped boating facility in Sursagar after 22 people,including nine children,died after a boat capsized in the lake. The mishap raised question about the loopholes in the entire system and the court case in the accident went on for years together. After more than a decade-long break,the VMC decided to initiate boating in the lake,but only with several stringent rules and regulations for the operator. VMC plans to introduce five two-seater and 10 four-seater boats with fees of Rs 25 and Rs 40 for half-an-hour ride.Deputy Municipal Commissioner A O Sharma said: The contractors have already given their proposals,but due to election-related activities,we were unable to hold any meetings to finalise the project. A decision will be taken around June 15 to move ahead with the project. He said the vessels will be paddleboats rather than motorboats,and will be made of fibre rather than wood. Besides,life saving equipment on board each boat is a must. Sources at the Tourist Department,which is responsible for the entire project,revealed that the project is stuck due to financial issues between the VMC and the interested company. The deal is almost finalised,but the firm,which will start the boating facility,is expecting some modifications in the contract as far as profit sharing is concerned. The company wants higher ratio in profit sharing on the ground that the ratio offered by VMC will not result in any financial benefits, said an official on condition of anonymity.
