A day after a boat capsized in the Chilika lake in Ganjam district killing four people, including two infants, Chilika Development Authority (CDA) Chief Executive P Krishnamohan on Sunday blamed the two boatmen for the tragedy.
A three-member team headed by Krishnamohan on Sunday made an on-spot inquiry into the incident. The fishing boat carrying 29 persons was on its way to the Ghantasila hill from Sabulia.
‘The boat was overloaded which led to the mishap. It had a maximum capacity to ferry 10 to 12 passengers, but it carried many more people. Besides, the boat had holes in it, owing to which water entered into it,” said Krishnamohan.
The Rambha police, meanwhile, seized the boat.
Besides, a case has been filed against the boatmen, Dutia Mallick and Bideshi Mallick, at the Rambha police station under Sections 280 and 304 of IPC on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Commerce and Transport Minister Ramesh Majhi sought a detailed report from the Directorate of Ports and Inland Water Transport in the matter.
“After getting the report, action will be taken accordingly,” said Majhi.