Odisha Govt Orders Probe Into Chilika Boat Tragedy

Bhubaneswar: Two days after the tragic boat mishap in Chilika lake at Balugaon in Ganjam district, the Odisha government on Monday ordered a probe into the incident.

Informing the media, Commerce and Transport minister Nrusingha Charan Sahu said the Director of the Port and Inland Water Transport has been asked to visit the mishap site for an investigation into the incident and submit a detailed report to the government.

“On the basis of his report, the government will take appropriate action,” he added.

The minister said the director would investigate whether the ill-fated boat had life jackets for the tourists.

He further said necessary steps would be taken to ensure that no such incident takes place in future.

The incident took place on Saturday afternoon when a country boat carrying 15 passengers with two boatmen capsized in the gorge of the lake, due to strong wind and thundershower, while they were returning from Kalijai Temple around 5.30 pm.

While six tourists died in the mishap, nine others were rescued by a joint team of the Balugan Boat Owners’ Association, ODRAF, Fire Brigade, local fishermen and Scuba divers.

While the bodies of two persons were recovered on Saturday, that of four others were fished out of the lake during the 17-hour search operation.