look news india
Mumbai: After 15 people died in the accident of a passenger boat going from Mumbai to Elephanta, safety check of boats and boating has been started in the lakes of Thane, Vasai Virar, Bhayandar. Officials are visiting different places to review the condition of boats, capacity of passengers, availability of life jackets and rescue facilities in case of an accident.
There are three water passenger transportation points in Vasai taluk. Ro-Ro service from Vasai to Bhayandar has been started from February. A large number of tourists travel through these every day. On the other hand, citizens living on Paju Bet and Arnala Fort Bet have to travel by these passenger boats. This accident has highlighted many issues like excessive passenger traffic, lack of life jackets, maintenance and repair of boats, lack of ring buoys. Life jackets are available at many places but passengers are not using them.
The inspection conducted by the Maritime Board will check whether the boat is in good condition or not, provision of life jackets, not carrying more passengers, estimation of geographical conditions while traveling by water, necessary measures for the safety of passengers.
Maharashtra Maritime Board official Avinash Patil has said that such instructions will be given. Also, we have once again given instructions to the concerned contractors and boat drivers. While there is only one boat for transportation in Arnala, instructions have been given to the concerned contractor. Maharashtra Maritime Board official Navneet Nizai has said that now a second boat will be taken which will reduce the burden of passengers and make the journey easier.
In Thane also, officials have started security checks by visiting various lakes. There are a total of 35 lakes in Thane Municipal Corporation area. In which paddle boat and machine boating facilities have been provided for the entertainment of the citizens at Masunda Lake, Upvan Lake and Ambeghosale in the center of the city. Masunda Lake has 35 paddle boats and 2 machine boats, Upvan Lake has 16 paddle boats and one machine boat and Ambeghosale Lake has 4 paddle boats and 1 machine boat. These contractors have been appointed. The municipal administration has asked citizens who refuse to wear safety jackets not to board the boat.
Besides, instructions have also been given to the concerned contractors regarding keeping buoy ring rope safety jackets in boats.
boat accidents of the past
– In March 2016, a tourist boat going to a wedding ceremony capsized in Pajju. This time 2 people drowned and 22 civilians were injured.
– In February 2024, a ferry boat running Ro-Ro service from Vasai-Bhayandar to Vasai collided with Vasai Ghat due to high tide. The passengers were frightened by this collision.
– On 27 May 2024, Arnala was carrying construction materials and laborers into the sea near Virar. One of the boats capsized. In this accident, 11 laborers were rescued safely, but one laborer died due to drowning.
Passengers have been advised to remain alert
Both Arnala and Paju boats are operated by village panchayats and contractors at the local level. Often passengers sit at a higher capacity at the same time, so the possibility of an accident cannot be ruled out, on the other hand, when traveling in Ro-Ro ships there are life jackets, which some passengers do not use. The Maritime Board has also appealed to the passengers to remain alert and cautious during the journey.
