Concerned over frequent cases of drowning along the embankment of the Mahanadi here, Cuttack District Collector NC Mishra on Friday ordered an administrative inquiry to ascertain the causes of such mishaps and how to check them. The move came in the wake of the death of four Ravenshaw University students, who drowned near the Jobra barrage on Thursday while bathing. Nearly 50 cases of drowning had been reported during the last five years along the embankment from Chahata Ghat to Jobra barrage.
“A three-member committee will find out the circumstances under which such mishaps are occurring repeatedly in these areas and suggest measures to prevent recurrence of these unfortunate incidents,” Mishra said. Among other terms of reference, the committee has also been asked to find out as to how the riverside inhabitants would be affected if bathing is completely banned at the potentially dangerous locations.
Headed by the Cuttack ADM, the committee also includes the Executive Engineers of the Jobra Barrage Division and Mahanadi (South) Irrigation Division. The committee has been asked to submit its report within two weeks, the Collector said.