Vizag to soon be enthralled by Hovercraft rides

In a heartening news to the denizens of Vizag, the city will soon be experiencing the much-awaited Hovercraft rides on its shores. Popular in the countries of Australia, New Zealand, England, and Russia among others, this activity in Vizag will be the first of its kind in India.

The crafts, which are capable of travelling over land, water, mud, ice, and other surfaces, are likely to go operational for the enthusiasts from the first week of May. Earlier, it was reported that Hoverdocks, the operating agency, conducted trial runs at Bhogapuram beach in Vizianagaram district. The company had procured 4 machines from Russia to give the citizens some enthralling rides over the city’s waters. While one hovercraft is equipped with a seating capacity of seven people, the remaining three will be accommodating five people each. The tickets would be priced between Rs 300 and Rs 350, it has been learned.

The authorities are currently providing the requisite training to five class-2 tug masters for efficiently handling the machines, once they start operating for the public.

The hovercraft will expectedly operate from RK Beach to Tenneti Park, with the permission of the required officials and authorities being sanctioned. The GVMC had allotted a land of 3775 sq yards on the beachfront, at a rent of Rs 15 lakhs per year.

The hovercraft project in Visakhapatnam is a result of a deal struck during the CII Partnership Summit in 2016.

News Credits-Eenadu