Banana boats a new craze in Tamil Nadu

Mudaliyar Kuppam (Tamil Nadu), Aug 20 : After scooter boats, motor boats, peddling boats, cycle boats and rowing boats, it is now the 'banana boats' that have become a new craze amongst the boating fans in Tamil Nadu.

The 'banana boats' have been introduced as a new water sports attraction at the Mudaliyar Kuppam boathouse near Chennai by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) in a bid to attract more tourists.

With this, the corporation anticipated more flow of business at the boathouse.

"Some one and a half years ago this was very small boathouse making 2000- 3000 rupees per day. Now after introduction of water scooters, the number of visitors has increased. Similarly, the banana boats is a new thing, so it would attract more tourists and visitors," said Sanwat Ram, Chairman, TTDC.

The inflatable yellow and orange coloured banana boats can carry six persons at a time and are pulled by motorboats.

The boat promises a treasured ride of the serene backwaters. "I am very happy and excited. The experience was good, I intend to visit here often," said Shiva Shankari, a visitor.

Out of the ten boathouses of the TTDC, the Mudaliar Kuppam boathouse has become the hot spot for most of the visitors.

TTDC plans to upgrade the boathouse further and add features like floating jetty and extend the boathouse.

ANI