Bhubaneswar, May 3: In the wake of the recent cruise capsize incident in Jabalpur that raised serious concerns over safety protocols, Odisha Government on Sunday directed strict enforcement of Inland Water Boat Safety in the State.
A high-level meeting on the safety and security of boats plying in Odisha’s inland waters was convened under the chairmanship of the Commerce & Transport Department Secretary in Bhubaneswar today.
The meeting was attended by key officials from the Odisha Maritime Board (OMB), the Tourism Department, the Fisheries & ARD Department, the Forest, Environment & CC Department and other line Departments.
Taking note of recently reported capsizing incidents, the Chair reviewed the existing safety protocols.
It was noted that boat operators are supposed to mandate the passengers to wear Life Jackets upon boarding. It has been directed that all operational boats must have an adequate number of life jackets, equivalent to passenger capacity, life buoys and fire safety equipment as per norms.
Authorities have been instructed to conduct rigorous surprise checks. Strict punitive action shall be taken against operators found overloading vessels or failing to enforce the mandatory wearing of life jackets by all passengers and crew.
To support boat operators, the Government provides life safety equipment (lifebuoys, life jackets and fire extinguishers) under the Sahid Baji Rout Noujatra Suraksha Yojana.
This equipment is supplied at no cost to government boats and at a 95% subsidy to private operators.
To ensure that no vessel falls outside the safety net, the Chair requested immediate, coordinated action among multiple departments including the Fisheries & ARD, Tourism, Forest, Environment & Climate Change and others concerned authorities.
