Following the Varkala floating bridge incident, water sport operators have requested that they adhere to IMD weather updates because to several safety issues

Concerns over the safety, security, and oversight of adventure and water sports activities offered to beaches around the state by the tourism department have been raised by the recent floating bridge incident in Varkala.

As the floating bridge was pounded by strong waves, up to fifteen individuals fell into the water and sustained injuries.

The Kerala tourist department has installed around seven floating bridges to capitalize on the potential for beach tourism along the state’s 580 km of coastline. Numerous more projects of a similar kind are now underway at beaches in nine of the state’s fourteen coastal districts.

The Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS), District Tourism Promotion Councils (DTPC), private parties, and the tourism department are collaborating to execute the initiatives across the state.

Adventure and water sports activities in the state are guaranteed to be safe and secure, an official from the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) told TNIE.

According to the official, all water sports operators have been instructed to abide by the Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) weather advisories. “All operators have been directed to adhere carefully to the IMD’s weather reports. They forecast for the next five days. After reviewing the CCTV video, we concluded that the rapid appearance of high tide and strong waves was the cause of the catastrophe. The tourist director will decide on next actions and choices, a KATPS spokesman said.

The floating bridge at Varkala Papanasam beach is destroyed. The following government entities are also accountable for the Varkala accident: Kerala Tourism Director
According to the official, lifeguards have been directed to make sure adventure sports activities are completed on schedule.

Due to unfavorable weather forecasts, the Chavakkad beach tourist operator in Thrissur had to halt operations last week. The official went on, “All procedures are being followed.

Stakeholders believe that the tourism agency need to schedule events around visitor interests.

Without a question, adventure tourism is necessary, but it should only be introduced after careful preparation and research into the needs of travelers to Kerala. These items pique the least attention from foreign visitors. Many of Goa’s well-known beaches lack floating bridges, despite the fact that they are now hosting large numbers of foreign visitors. International visitor arrivals in Kerala have not yet increased, according to President Shaik Ismail of the Tourism Care Foundation.

According to an expert from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) should provide appropriate classifications for this kind of growing infrastructure. The official said, “Every component used in the floating bridge should have the codes that everybody can follow.”

Case involving negligence brought against a private operator

The Varkala police filed a complaint on Monday for carelessness, putting people’s lives and personal safety at risk, against the floating bridge’s private operator under many sections. There are instances under IPC sections 336, 337, and 338 that the Varkala police have recorded.

Joy Water Sports, situated in Trichy, was the target of a complaint for operating without adhering to safety procedures.

According to a Varkala police spokesman, further measures would be implemented in the next days.

In the meanwhile, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) received a report from the Varkala tahasildar, who had visited Papanasam Beach.

A DDMA representative promised that a report will be sent to higher authorities shortly. “We’ll provide the government the report right away. The assessment will examine the security elements, according to a DDMA official.

According to a representative of the Tourism Minister’s office, no further action will be taken until the Tourism Director’s report is received.