In a bid to avoid incidents like the recent Chilika boat tragedy in which six persons were killed, it has been decided to install GPS (Global Positioning System) in boats operating in the lake, informed Commerce & Transport Minister Dr Nrusingha Charan Sahu on Saturday.
“In the report submitted by the Directorate of Ports and Inland Water Transport, installation of GPS in boats in the Chilika has been proposed; and we will take steps in this regard,” the Minister said.
Besides, district Collectors have been directed to appoint surveyors to ensure provision of lifebuoys, lifejackets and fire extinguishers for all boats, said Sahu.
“As per the submitted report, the condition of the boat that capsized in the Chilika was not good. The boat had holes for which water entered inside it,” he said.
Though the boatman was provided with four lifebuoys, 20 lifejackets and a fire extinguisher, the equipments were not used during the mishap, he added.
Notably, a boat carrying 18 tourists capsized in the Chilika on July 16 evening after it was caught in a thunderstorm accompanied by strong wind and rain.
As many as six persons, mostly women and children, drowned in the incident