12-day search operations in river Godavari come to a halt

Rajamahendravaram: The 12 day marathon search operations in river Godavari to trace out the missing three girl students were stopped from Wednesday night.  Seven passengers including one woman and six girl students died in a boat capsize in river Godavari at Pasuvullanka village of I Polavaram mandal on July 14th evening.

So far, the bodies of three girl students and one woman were traced. Immediately from July 15th,  NDRF, SDRF, SPF and Fire services staff and  helicopters  started searching for the missing passengers and after a week, a total of four bodies were traced.

The teams searched for them in a distance of 30 kms between Pasuvullanka and up to the sea mouth at Bhairavapalem. The divers from Navy also searched for the victims in a depth of 70 to 100 feet in the river. About 600 personnel from NDRF, SDRF, SPF and Fire services department participated in the search operations along with the local  fisher men. First time, the government availed the services of fishermen who were well aware of the river currents and also about high and low tides of sea.

Deputy Chief Minister Nimmakayala Chinarajappa  said that proposals for the construction of bridges in Konaseema area were sent to the government for sanction and after getting permission, construction will be taken up. Meanwhile, the bridge which was under construction on river Godavari at Pasuvullanka will be completed in six months.

An amount of Rs 45 crore also sanctioned for the bridge on river Godavari at Oodimudi lanka also. Meanwhile, motor boats are arranged at Pasuvullanka  ferry and other ferries. Wearing of life jackets is compulsory to any one who travels in the boat, he  said. Officials of Irrigation, Revenue and Police departments were directed to take care of the boats which ferry the people from lanka areas.

Speaking to The Hans India, Amalapuram RDO Venkata Ramana said that the searching teams were returned to their places after 12days of search operations in the river. The government already sanctioned compensation to the family members of all seven drowned passengers.