Illegal coracle rides flourish despite safety warnings at Hampi

Koppal: Unauthorised coracle rides continue on the Tungabhadra river near Sanapur in Gangavathi, across from Hampi, despite restrictions and repeated notices to operators, raising concerns over tourist safety in Hampi.Villagers alleged that operators had openly resumed rides near the old tourist bungalow, Sanapur parallel reservoir and waterfalls after the district administration and irrigation department restricted them. Sanapur, known as Mini Goa, attracts tourists from India and abroad. Resorts in Sanapur, Hanumanahalli, Anegundi, Kishkindha and Jangli allegedly direct visitors to the riverbank and encourage coracle rides.Operators charge local tourists Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 per ride, regular visitor Veeresh Ballari said. Coracles have capsized in the area in the past, while repeated police warnings have failed to stop the activity, he added. A Gangavathi Rural police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said complaints alleged that operators charged Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 for pre-wedding shoots, with a minimum fee of Rs 5,000.Villagers questioned the selective enforcement of restrictions. Forest department warning boards advise people against entering the river because of crocodiles and otters, while Sanapur gram panchayat has prohibited washing clothes there. Some visitors allegedly cross the river by coracle in the morning, consume alcohol and food on the opposite bank, and return in the evening, villagers said.Irrigation department assistant executive engineer Amaresh Kampli said repeated notices had failed to stop the rides. Gangavathi taluk panchayat executive officer Ramareddy Patil said the revenue, forest and irrigation departments and taluk panchayat would conduct a joint operation and file complaints against operators.Gangavathi range forest officer Basavaraj said a complaint had been lodged with Rural Police Station. An FIR would be registered and coracles seized as operators continued rides while evading officials, he said. Villagers urged the district administration and police, irrigation and forest departments to coordinate action to avert a possible tragedy.Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news. Download the TOI App.