BHARDAK: Boat rides may be a pleasurable activity for urban people, but for thousands of people living along the river banks in Bhadrak it is a necessity. According to sources, scores of people depend on motor boats for communication and transportation of goods due to lack of bridges on rivers including Salandi and Baitarani and their tributaries in the district. Nearly 200 country boats and motor boats sail in the district from 76 anchorages. A report of the district revenue office suggests that over 150 boats sail from only 46 anchorages in Chandbali and Dhamnagar region of the district.
As per a State Government directive, all boats that carry passengers and goods must have licence and fitness certificate. But boat owners in the district flout the rules with impunity.
Sources said only 54 boats have licence but their fitness is yet to be verified. What’s worse is that even some of the anchorages have been built illegally. District Emergency Office (DEO) reports state that there have been 18 incidents of boat capsize in the last 10 years in the district. Sources in DEO said a workshop on rules and regulations of sailor licence and fitness certificate was held years back. It was decided at the workshop that boat owners must first obtain fitness certificate for their vessels after which licence will be granted after a report is submitted by the surveyor team. It was also clarified that a boat must have at least three helpers. “But most boats in the district do not fulfil the criteria endangering people’s lives”, said social activist Tushar Jena.
Meanwhile, Additonal District Magistrate, Bhadrak, Sjyambhakta Mishra said a survey regarding licence and fitness certificate will be carried out soon in the district.
