Thiruvananthapuram: A floating restaurant was destroyed in a fire in Poovar, Thiruvananthapuram, and the fire service struggled to put it out because it was not easy to access. Nobody was injured in the accident. The incident shows that there is a need to audit or license such ventures in tourist spots.With floating restaurants becoming an attraction in tourist getaway spots in the district, monitoring for safety compliance is becoming a challenge as permissions, licensing and monitoring come under different govt agencies. Sources said the restaurant was not under the purview of the district tourism promotion council or the tourism department. It was run by a private entity and was a popular landmark for tourists visiting the backwaters and resorts of Poovar. However, there is hardly any safety audit by fire and rescue services and the tourism department after such services started. The floating restaurants are often licensed by the local body and food safety department. Fire and rescue service NOC is needed only if the restaurant can seat more than 50 people. An entrepreneur in the tourism field said there should be basic safety measures at these floating restaurants. “Life vests have become compulsory in boats these days. Similarly, there should be fire extinguishers at these restaurants, which are often made using nature-friendly materials that are prone to fire,” he added. M K Ajit Kumar of India Tourism Forum said floating restaurants should be equipped with onboard foam extinguishers, fire blankets, float pumps and auto sprinklers linked to alarm. He said fire and rescue services should train restaurant staff, and mock drills should be carried out regularly. “There should be speed boats for rapid evacuation. State tourism department should enforce these guidelines as part of an overall protocol for disaster management, emphasising community preparedness,” he added.
