Odisha Govt Orders Strict Boat Safety Checks After Jabalpur Tragedy

Bhubaneswar: In the wake of the Jabalpur cruise tragedy in Madhya Pradesh that claimed 13 lives, the Odisha government on Sunday directed all boat operators to strictly ensure the availability of life-saving and fire safety equipment as per prescribed norms.

The decision was taken at a high-level review meeting chaired by Principal Secretary of the Commerce & Transport Department, N.B.S. Rajput. The meeting focused on strengthening safety and security measures for boats operating across Odisha’s inland waterways.

Authorities have been instructed to conduct rigorous and surprise inspections to ensure compliance. Officials warned that strict action will be taken against operators found overloading vessels or failing to enforce the mandatory use of life jackets for passengers and crew.

The government is already supplying essential safety equipment such as lifebuoys, life jackets, and fire extinguishers under the ‘Sahid Baji Rout Noujatra Suraksha Yojana’. While government-run boats receive these free of cost, private operators are provided the equipment at a 95 per cent subsidy.

Rajput also emphasised the need for immediate and coordinated efforts among multiple departments, including Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, Tourism, and Forest, Environment & Climate Change, to ensure strict adherence to safety norms.

The directive follows the capsizing of a tourist cruise boat near Khamariya Island in Bargi Dam on April 30, which resulted in the deaths of 13 people and raised concerns over passenger safety standards.