Kankaria Lake boating has reopened in Ahmedabad from 3 November after being suspended since January 2024, with stricter safety requirements, ticket charges of Rs 60 to Rs 300 and a ban on children below three years entering the boats.
The boating service was stopped after the Harni Lake tragedy in Vadodara, prompting authorities to review safety arrangements at water-based recreational facilities. The reopening has been timed ahead of the Diwali holiday period, when Kankaria Lake traditionally attracts large visitor crowds.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation said all safety guidelines prescribed by the Gujarat government would be strictly enforced. Kamlesh Patel, chairman of the municipal standing committee, said a Goa-based agency had inspected the safety arrangements and issued clearance before operations resumed.
Boating will be available from 10 am to 10 pm. Children below three years will not be permitted to enter the boats as part of the revised safety measures. The report did not provide further details on the number or type of boats, life jackets, rescue personnel or emergency equipment available at the facility.
Patel said visitor safety would not be compromised and that surprise inspections would be conducted. If any deficiency is found during these checks, strict action could be taken against the operating agency, according to his statement.
Kankaria Lake receives an estimated 40 lakh to 45 lakh visitors each year, and boating is one of the prominent attractions along the lakefront. The reopening therefore restores a significant recreational activity at one of Ahmedabad’s most visited public destinations, while placing operational compliance under closer municipal scrutiny.
The boating service will continue at the previous ticket rates, with individual charges ranging from Rs 60 to Rs 300. The municipality will receive 15 per cent of ticket revenue under the existing contractual arrangement.
The boating contract was awarded to Amrapali Agency in 2004 for 20 years. Although the original contract was due to end in 2024, the municipal standing committee extended it until June 2027 because boating operations had remained suspended during the Covid-19 period. The same agency has therefore been retained for the current reopening.
The municipality said there was insufficient time to complete a fresh tender process before the Diwali season. A new tender process is expected to be undertaken after the existing arrangement ends in June 2027. Until then, the agency will operate under the stated safety requirements and remain subject to municipal inspections.
