Stage set for Nehru Trophy Boat Race

ALAPPUZHA: Elaborate arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the 67th edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR) to be held on Punnamada Backwaters on Saturday.

Finance minister T. M. Thomas Isaac said that chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan would inaugurate the race at 2 pm. Cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar will be the chief guest.

State ministers, local MPs and MLAs will also be present.

As many as  82 boats including 24 snake boats would participate in the event. Nine teams out of 24 will contest for the title of debut Champions Boat League being kicked off with the NTBR while three will attend display contest. The race of snake boats will be flagged off at 3.15 pm, and the prize distribution for the winners will be at 5.30 pm.As many as 2000 policemen including 19 DySPs and 33 circle inspectors and 335 sub-inspectors will be deployed in and around the venue.

"There will be medical teams and a quick reaction team of the police to handle any emergency during the boat race,'' he said.The traffic will be closed from District Court Bridge North Junction to Thathampally Kurishadi Junction from 7 am to 7 pm.  

The vehicles coming from Thanneermukkom and Ernakulam stretch should be parked on the SDV school ground while the St Antony's school and Carmel school grounds are set up for the vehicle from Changanassery area.

The entry of heavy vehicles will not be allowed in the town from 9 am to 8 pm. The heavy vehicles have to be parked on the Kalarcode bypass and Kommadi bypass.