Muttukadu Boat House (Tamil: முட்டுக்காடு படகுக் குழாம்) is a water sport facility on the East Coast Road at Muttukadu village in Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu and comes under Chennai Metropolitan Area. It offers rowing, wind surfing, water skiing, and speedboat riding. It is a backwater area of the Bay of Bengal located 36 km (22 mi) from the city centre and 23 km (14 mi) from Adyar and is on the way to Mamallapuram from Chennai. The boat house was inaugurated in 1984 and has 15 row boats, 27 speedboats and 9 pedal boats,[1] besides two high-speed aqua scooters.[2] The water depth varies between 3 ft and 6 ft.[3] It is owned and operated by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). The boating spot receives more than 4,000 visitors every weekend.[4]
| Muttukadu Boat House | |
|---|---|
முட்டுக்காடுப் படகுக் குழாம் | |
 The Boat house as seen from the ECR bridge | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Location | Muttukadu, Kanchipuram district, Greater Chennai |
| Country | India |
| Coordinates | 12°48′21″N 80°14′31″E / 12.8058°N 80.2420°E |
| Grid position | 12°48'20.91"N, 80°14'30.91"E |
| Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) |
| Inaugurated | 1984 |
| Renovated | Jun 2009 |
| Owner | Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation |
| Website | |
| www | |
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In July 2009, TTDC inaugurated a new bamboo boathouse and a floating boat jetty at the Muttukadu boating facility. The boathouse, with a special roof made of bamboo, has a lounge, from where visitors can watch the boats, and a restaurant. The building has been constructed at a cost of ₹ 8.7 million and the floating jetty at a cost of ₹ 1.2 million.[1] A couple of high-speed aqua scooters with a seating capacity of three was also introduced at a cost of ₹ 1.35 million,[3][5] which has received good patronage.[6] The scooters can sail at an average speed of 120 km/hour.[7]
The boat house has a multi-cuisine restaurant named "Surf", a unit of Coral. In the recent Chennai flood of 2015, Muttukadu boats were used to rescue people on the outskirts of Chennai city.[8]
Developments
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The TTDC is planning to introduce sailing near the boating facility as a private-public partnership venture.[4] The Tamil Nadu Tourism Department is also planning to develop the boat house, along with Mudaliarkuppam boat house and Mamallapuram, using funds from Asian Development Bank.[9]
In 2008, the TTDC was in process of upgrading facilities at the boat house at the cost of ₹ 7.4 million. It would include a new floating jetty and extension of the boat house.[10]
Events
editIn 2008, TTDC conducted a boat race in Muttukadu, in association with the Madras Boat Club.[4]
See also
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References
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- ^ a b "New boathouse goes on stream at Muttukadu". The Hindu. Chennai. 19 July 2009. Archived from the original on 23 July 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
- ^ Kumar, J. V. Siva Prasanna (25 March 2013). "Luring adventurers with water scooters". The Deccan Chronicle. Chennai. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
- ^ a b Anand, N. (22 July 2009). "High-speed aqua scooter is the latest attraction at Muttukadu Boat House". The Hindu. Chennai. Archived from the original on 25 July 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
- ^ a b c Ayyappan, V. (6 September 2009). "TTDC to soon introduce sailing near Muttukadu". The Times of India. Chennai. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
- ^ "Adventure tourism complex at Mamallapuram". The New Indian Express. Chennai. 1 September 2009. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
- ^ Aishwarya, S.; N. Anand (27 July 2009). "Dotted with theme parks and boat houses, ECR beckons adventure lovers". The Hindu. Chennai. Archived from the original on 30 July 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
- ^ "Water scooter ride launched at Muttukadu Boat House". The Hindu. Chennai. 1 September 2009. Archived from the original on 5 September 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
- ^ "Muttukadu Boats save lives during Chennai rain flood – Trekkerpedia". trekkerpedia.com. Archived from the original on 13 December 2015.
- ^ "Tourism boost: ECR getaways set for facelift". The Times of India epaper. Chennai: The Times Group. 13 January 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
- ^ "'Banana Boats' introduced at Mudaliarkuppam to woo tourists". The Hindu. Chennai. 15 August 2008. Archived from the original on 18 August 2008. Retrieved 21 January 2012.