Bhubaneswar: In the wake of the tragic Jabalpur boat capsize that claimed 13 lives, the Odisha government on Sunday instructed all vessel operators in the state to strictly adhere to safety protocols, failure of which will result in punitive action.
Safety Equipment Mandated
The government has directed all operational boats to maintain adequate numbers of life jackets, life buoys, and fire safety equipment. Commerce and Transport Secretary N B S Rajput stated, "Clear instructions have been issued — every boat must be fully equipped with life-saving gear and adhere to safety standards. Authorities have been instructed to conduct rigorous surprise checks. Strict punitive action shall be taken against operators found overloading vessels or failing to enforce the mandatory wearing of life jackets by all passengers and crew." He added that an awareness campaign is being launched for boat operators and passengers, while policies are being updated in line with modern technical guidelines.
High-Level Review Meeting
The meeting, chaired by Rajput and also attended by officials from the tourism department and the directorate of fisheries, was held to review and strengthen safety measures for vessels operating in Odisha's inland waterways, particularly on Chilika Lake and major rivers. Currently, the commerce department operates passenger motor launch services across six water routes in the Chandabali and Balugaon sectors. A 20-seater FRP catamaran solar-powered passenger boat is also in service on Chilika Lake, offering tourists a safer and more comfortable journey. Additionally, a large number of private boats ply on Chilika and other water bodies for tourism purposes.
Existing Regulations and Enforcement Issues
The inland water transport sector is governed by the Odisha Boat Rules, 2004, which mandate boat registration with licensing authorities. District collectors are empowered to enforce these rules, with surveyors (mechanical or civil engineers) tasked to inspect registered boats at regular intervals. However, experts allege that enforcement has often been lax. P K Swain, a retired police officer, said, "Many boats on Chilika Lake and major rivers operate in unsafe conditions. Safety protocols are rarely followed amid irregular inspections. Many fishing boats are illegally transporting tourists on Puri sea in the name of adventure tourism."
Planned Overhaul of Boat Rules
The government is planning to replace the Odisha Boat Rules, 2004, with a new framework aligned with the Indian Vessels Act, 2021. A commerce department official said, "We will draft the Odisha Inland Vessels Rules, drawing on expertise from agencies such as the National Inland Navigation Institute, Patna." The official added that they have introduced a boat information and management system for online registration and renewal of licenses. In 2025 alone, 350 boats were registered and 717 renewed in the state.
Recent Accidents Highlight Risks
Odisha has witnessed several catastrophic boat accidents on Chilika Lake, the Mahanadi River, and other water bodies. Notably, Cricket Association of Bengal president Snehasish Ganguly and his wife Arpita narrowly escaped when their speedboat was struck by a large wave on Puri sea on May 24, 2025.
