Nehru Trophy Boat Race: Spectators, be ready to walk several kilometres; new parking rules

Traffic regulations will be enforced in Alappuzha town until 9 pm on Saturday, August 30, due to the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. Vehicles parked along the roadside will be removed using recovery vehicles. Containers and trailers are advised to avoid entering the town and instead take the Bypass.

Vehicles coming from Thanneermukkam and Ernakulam sides should proceed via Kommady, Shavakotta Bridge, and Convent Square Beach, and park along the beach, the recreation ground, and the canal-side roads. Vehicles from the Changanassery side, via Kaithavana Junction, should be parked at Pazhaveedu and the Carmel School grounds.

Vehicles from the Kollam and Kayamkulam sides should be parked at the Kalarkod Chinmaya School ground and other convenient spaces along the Bypass. KSRTC feeder services have been arranged to transport passengers from Kalarkod, Pazhaveedu, Kalarkod Bypass, the beach, the recreation ground and Kaithavana, officials said.

Be prepared to walk kilometres
Spectators heading to watch the boat race will need to walk several kilometres. After the event, they will have to cover the same distance back to their parked vehicles, totalling around 10 km in total. As per the directions, vehicles should be parked in the designated areas, and visitors must walk approximately 5 km to reach Punnamada.

Although authorities had earlier promised feeder services from these parking spots to Punnamada, KSRTC has not yet received any official order. Depot authorities clarified that buses cannot be allotted without an instruction from the managing director in Thiruvananthapuram.

Even finding autorickshaws may be difficult, as restrictions are in place on vehicle entry into the town. For most, walking will remain the only option. In previous years, people could reach the bus stand and boat jetty directly by using vehicles and boats. This year, however, such access is restricted due to regulations on boats and vehicles between YMCA and Matha Jetty, owing to the district court bridge.