The district administration has recently decided to ensure that no boat runs overcrowded while ferrying in rivers and other water bodies and laid stress on boat’s registration and licence.
District Collector Nitin Bhanudas Jawale stated that the district is criss- crossed with rivers; so there is every possibility that if precaution is not taken, boat tragedy like Hirakud would repeat.
According to Jawale, nearly hundreds of boats, including 30-40 motor launches, are operating in several ferry ghats of the district. So it was decided to direct all the boats, motor boats and passenger launches to register their boats and obtain licence before May 30. The district administration has also directed all the boat operators to keep life jackets, life boys and fire extinguishers in their boats to use during emergency time whereas it has been asked to write the ferrying capacity and guidelines in their boats. Else, the district administration would confiscate the boat and take legal action against the offender.
The technical officers of the Water Resources department will examine the condition of the boat and decide on loading capacity by submitting a report to the district administration. later, the district administration would provide licence.