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Chennai: In a proactive measure to strengthen urban flood preparedness, the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department has invited tenders to purchase around 200 fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) coracles for use during flood emergencies in cities and towns.
Each coral, costing about Rs 13,000, will be deployed in areas where flood waters are not expected to be very deep. According to officials, the tender has been issued by the State Disaster Management Department, which has sanctioned funds for this initiative.
An official source said, “We are procuring both coracles and boats to improve flood response capability in urban areas. About 300 boats will also be acquired, most of them without engines or propellers, as such attachments can make navigation risky if there are submerged obstructions.”
Each of these boats will be priced between Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. Selection criteria include strength, buoyancy and carrying capacity.
This was the second tender call after the first tender failed to attract enough bidders, officials said. The boats are designed to last for at least five years with minimal maintenance, provided they are not exposed to direct sunlight.
“Once procured, they will be handed over to district collectors for deployment during floods,” another official said.
With increasing incidents of urban flooding, especially in Chennai, the services of local fishermen are often sought during rescue operations.
“Currently, a boat is rented at around Rs 4,000 per day. Since a new boat costs only Rs 1.5 lakh, adopting them makes better financial sense for the government,” said an industry expert.
He further suggested that the Fisheries Department should manage the fleet throughout the year. “During floods they can coordinate with the revenue department, and during the rest of the year, the boats can be used for reservoir inspection and sampling in inland farms,” he said.
A retired fisheries department official recalled that around 20 corals were brought from the Mettur dam for use around Chennai during the 2018-19 floods. “In fact, a baby was once born in a coral reef in Padappai. Because it is a small craft, it is ideal for navigating flooded city streets,” he pointed out.
–IANS