Punnamada in Keralam’s Alappuzha sizzles as boat clubs battle for NTBR crown

On Saturday, August 22, 2026, the 72nd Nehru Trophy Boat Race kicked off at Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha, Kerala. The event featured heats for smaller boats such as Iruttukuthi C, Iruttukuthi B, Veppu A, and Chundans (snake boats). Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan was set to formally open the regatta at 2 p.m. This year saw an increase in the number of Chundan boats to 22, up from 21 last year, with six heats scheduled.

Winners in the smaller boat categories would be determined by their finishing times. The Thekkanodi Kettu category, where women row the boats, also saw a rise in entries, with four boats competing this year compared to one in the previous year. For the first time, the race was managed by an event management group, promising a more professional and colorful presentation, complete with a theme.

Veeyapuram Chundan, rowed by the Village Boat Club from Kainakary, had previously won the trophy and was set to defend its title. The prize money for winning teams had been significantly increased, from ₹5 lakh last year to ₹25 lakh this year.