Students’ drowning incident exposes glaring security lapses

Vijayawada: The demise of four engineering college students exposed the security lapses at ghats and tourist places in Krishna River course area. It may be noted that many tourists lost their lives in the past at Pavitrasangamam in Ibrahimpatnam in Krishna district. The location assumed significance as the government developed the ghat in the name of Pavitrasangamam after the merger of Krishna and Godavari rivers.

Apart from this, the Kondapalli fort is very near to the location and thousands of tourists from across the state visit the location to see nature’s beauty. Likewise, the students also visit the ghat frequently. Hence the establishment of security arrangements got importance.

The Tourism department purchased a fully secured boat with life jackets facility for tourists’ facility and deployed trained swimmers in the boats. Similarly, special teams have been posted at Prakasam Barrage. But the government didn't post the special teams at all the ghats. There is a demand to deploy the staff at all important ghats in Krishna River course area.

Permanent swimmers and security staff should be posted at all ghats in the river to prevent untoward incidents, the people of various sections and leaders opined. A watch tower also should be constructed, said Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan and added the government should take responsibility to provide proper security arrangements at all ghats.

PCC official spokesperson Kolanukonda Sivaji said that the government failed to provide security arrangements to visitors at ghats. He asked the government to pay Rs 25 lakh compensation to the kin of students who drowned at Pavitrasangamam.