A cruise boat capsized in Jabalpur's Bargi dam, reigniting outrage over Madhya Pradesh Tourism's alleged negligence on passenger safety. The vessel sank during a routine ride on the Narmada River, throwing dozens of tourists into turbulent waters. Eyewitnesses described ignored protocols and glaring lapses, including no life jackets, low railings, and unsupervised children.
Survivor Accounts
Survivor Priya Sharma, a teacher onboard with her family, stated, 'Tourists were herded onto the boat without a single life jacket. Children ran freely, and railings were so low you could step over them.'
Echoes of 2022 Incident
The incident revived concerns from 2022, when a cruise at Bhopal's Upper Lake partially submerged during strong winds, causing panic. Following that, the tourism department promised reforms like mandatory life jackets, stronger railings, and stricter inspections. However, sources say follow-up audits remained irregular, with violations continuing.
Official Response
Officials, including GM (Operations) Ajay Shrivastava, did not respond to calls. The department has ordered an inquiry. Tourist Ashok Saxena questioned, 'How many near-misses before real action?'
Helpline Established
A control room has been set up at the collector's office with helpline 0761-2624355. Virendra Singh is in charge of 24x7 updates on missing persons and the incident.
