Boat, on its maiden voyage, didn’t have govt permission
MODI TWEETS
The boat which capsized in Krishna river killing 20 passengers near Ibrahimpatnam on the outskirts of Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday evening was on its maiden voyage but it did not have the requisite government permission.
“The boat belonging to a private agency, River Boating Adventure Company, was a new one that entered the waters only on Sunday. It made a couple of trial runs in the morning. It did not have the permission, neither from the irrigation nor the tourism department. We have ordered an inquiry as to how it carried passengers,” Andhra Pradesh tourism minister Bhuma Akhila Priya told reporters in Vijayawada on Monday. The boat was yet to be named. The tourism department released a video clipping showing one of its officials telling the private boat operator ahead of the tragedy that the latter would not be allowed to dock the boat at Prime Minister Narendra
Modi on Monday expressed anguish at the loss of lives in a boat accident. “Capsizing of a boat in the Krishna river is anguishing. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy,” he tweeted.
Durga Ghat jetty because it did not have the clearance. “For God’s sake, please vacate this jetty and get permission from the authorities,” the official is heard telling the boat operator.
However, the boat operator took it to Punnami Ghat side, where 39 passengers boarded the vessel to go to Sangamam to witness Harathi on the occasion of Karthika Masam, a festival to worship lord Shiva. “The driver who operated the boat had no prior experience operating a boat in the Krishna river and did not even have the route map. There were no life jackets but the driver convinced the people saying he will bring them back safely,” the minister said.
Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu told the state assembly a criminal case of negligence had been registered against Kondal Rao, in whose name the agency was registered, and his associate Gedela Srinu, who operated the boat. They were taken into custody and were being interrogated, he said.
Referring to the allegations of the YSR Congress leaders that some top tourism department officials were partners in River Boat Adventures, Naidu said no one will be spared if the inquiry finds these allegations true.
He said so far 20 bodies had been recovered and whereabouts of another two were yet to be known. “Four persons are undergoing treatment,” he said.
It is not known whether the two missing are crew members.
Naidu appreciated fishermen Sivaiah and Pichaiah, who jumped into the water immediately after and saved 14 people. He also announced a monetary reward of ~5 lakh each to them.
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