Council demands stern action on culprits

- Home minister says GPS-enabled system will be put in place to alert on mishaps
- Patrolling teams will be deployed along the banks of tourism water bodies, CCTVs will be installed
- BJP, PDF members blame government’s negligence, lack of proactive measures

Amaravati: Legislative Council demanded stringent punishment to the accused in boat capsize incident in River Krishna at Ibrahimpatnam near Vijayawada on Sunday, in which about 20 tourists died. The members participating in a debate on safety of passengers in water transport on Monday, suggested that the government initiate preventive measures to avoid recurrences such tragedies in future.

The council expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased before embarking on the debate in which 15 members took part. Responding to the plea of the members, home minister N Chinarajappa said that the government would introduce GPS-enabled system to alert whenever accidents occur. He also added that rescue teams would be deployed along the water bodies of tourism. “Patrolling teams will be deployed, CCTVs will be installed at crucial and identified points along the tourist water bodies,” he said adding that routes for safe journey for water tourism would be identified.

The home minister informed the council that police registered a criminal case against five members of River Boating and Adventures Partners namely Sesham Moda Kondala Rao, Neelam Seshagiri Rao, Gedala Srinu (boat driver), Vinjamuri Vijaya Saradhi and Chitti. He said the government ordered an inquiry into the incident with two member committee including one senior IAS and another senior IPS officials. The committee would submit a detailed report and also will suggest preventive measures, he explained.

Blaming the negligence on the part of the government for the tragedy, BJP member P V N Madhav said the incident exposed the lapses in the functioning of tourism department and suggested fool-proof security and preventive measures for water tourism.

The accident happened between tourism office and CM’s residence, observed PDF member Srinivas Reddy. MLCs Sandhya Rani and Srinivas Reddy said that such incidents should not be repeated in the state. Dokka Manikya Vara Prasada Rao urged the government to provide security boats for tourism with the support of local fishermen. Pointing to the fact that two fishermen had saved lives of more than 15 passengers in Sunday’s incident, the member suggested that fishermen could be employed in security boats, since they are experts in adventure swimming.

He further added that all the tourism boats which carry passengers should be equipped with warning and alert system.

Another member Ramasubba Reddy said the government was only responding after mishaps happened but it should take proactive measures. The family members of deceased could be offered employment in the government to provide them livelihood, observed V Narayana Reddy. Gade Srinivasulu Naidu, Pothula Sunitha, B Arjunudu, Karanam Balaram and others said that the government should take the water tourism as a serious issue and implement laws properly.