What is the issue?
A boat capsizes in the Godavari leaving many dead and missing. Andhra Pradesh is experiencing a familiar ring of boat tragedies in the recent past.
What really happened?
- In the latest boat tragedy on the Godavari in which some tourists drowned and others still missing.
- The private operator took on board over 70 tourists who were hoping to see the scenic beauty of Papikondalu.
- The operator ventured into the river that has been in spate for days, without any permission.
- The inexperienced crew could not cope with a sudden current of water at Kachuluru, one of the most dangerous spots enroute.
- The boat tilted and capsized within minutes and only those wearing life jackets could save themselves.
- The Andhra Pradesh government announces a hefty ex-gratia, promises deterrent action against all those responsible and initiates steps to prevent such tragedies.
What are some facts about the past tragedies?
- Police records show over 100 people perishing in boat mishaps during the last three years.
- The major one being on the Krishna in November 2017 when 22 tourists lost their lives.
- These tragedies were avoidable if simple precautions were in place like,
- Having only experienced crew with valid licences,
- Provision of life jackets for all,
- Not setting out when the river is in full flow.
Were any lessons learnt from these recurring mishaps?
- The accident on the Krishna jolted the N. Chandrababu Naidu government into action and a committee was formed to formulate preventive steps.
- The committee highlighted the multiplicity of the departments concerned ranging from irrigation to director of ports with permitting rides and monitoring and checking illegal ones.
- It pointed to lack of coordination. Eg: When the river touches the danger mark, the irrigation department should send out a warning to all concerned not to allow any rides.
- Without a single regulatory body, the result was this typical bureaucratic phenomenon of passing the buck.
- The committee suggested making the directorate of ports as a nodal agency and the AP Inland Vessel Rules were brought into effect.
- Nobody knows what happened to these rules and other decisions.
- To prevent such man-made tragedies, the government must pin responsibility on officials instead of resorting to mere palliative steps.
Source: The Hindu
