AP Boat Tragedies: Devipatnam boat capsize: 15 more bodies recovered, toll rises to 24

The rescuers have so far recovered 24 bodies while many are still missing in of the worst riverine tragedies in the country in recent times when a private ferry carrying tourists to the picturesque Papikonda hills in Andhra Pradesh capsized midstream in the Godavari flowing at the danger mark on Sunday afternoon.

Despite frequent boat accidents in the Godavari and Krishna rivers claiming several lives, no precautionary measures are being taken to prevent them.

According to officials, many private boat operators don't follow the rules prescribed by the Indian Registration of Shipping and the Inland Vessels Act, 1917.

Twenty-one persons drowned in the Krishna on November 12, 2017, when a boat carrying tourists to Pavitra Sangamam, near Ibrahimpatnam, on the outskirts of Vijayawada, capsized. Sixteen persons were rescued.

Nineteen persons drowned when a boat overturned in the Godavari near Manturu village in East Godavari district in May, 2018. Seventeen persons survived.

Sources say that more than 40 boats operate in the Krishna and about 75 in the Godavari. However, only a few possess fitness certificates as per the Public Canals and Ferry Act, 1890.

The AP Tourism Department Corporation (APTDC) operates 52 boats in Vijayawada, Nagarjuna Sagar, Dindi Resorts, Rajamahendravaram, Sri Sailam, Pattiseema, Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, Gargeyapuram Cheruvu, Brahmasagaram and other tourist spots. However, unconfirmed reports say that over 200 boats operate in rivers and canals to tourist places without licence and ignoring safety norms.

Boat owner booked

The police have registered a case of criminal negligence against Venkata Ramana, the owner of the boat that capsized on Sunday, and a few others for operating the boat though the Godavari was in spate.