Two years to Vadodara’s Harni tragedy, boating operations to resume at Kankaria lake

Boating activities at Ahmedabad’s Kankaria Lake were suspended following the tragic Harni lake accident in Vadodara on January 18, 2024. 

The Standing Committee has now approved the resumption of boating and extended the contract of the operating agency, Amrapali Industries Ltd, for another one and a half years. The Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani expressed confidence that boating could restart within the next ten days.

However, according to official sources, boating cannot resume until both the subcommittee and main committee grant their final approvals, as required by the government’s guidelines.

Boating at Kankaria Lake had earlier been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, after which the Municipal Commissioner extended the agency’s term until December 18, 2025. 

Following the Harni tragedy, operations remained closed for about 1.5 years due to pending Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) clearances and other safety requirements.

The agency has assured compliance with all government SOPs and has committed to obtaining permissions from the Waterside Safety Committee. 

Consequently, the Standing Committee decided to extend the agency’s contract for the same duration that boating remained inactive, according to Dani.

Moreover, the committee has extended the contract for the musical fountain and laser show at Nagina Wadi. Yet, legal and procedural hurdles remain before boating can officially restart. The subcommittee will review all aspects and submit a report to the main committee, which will then present it to the municipal commissioner. Boating will resume only after the commissioner grants approval.