Following the tragic boat sinking in Jabalpur, the Khordha district administration has moved swiftly to prevent similar disasters in Chilika Lake. District Collector Amrit Poojaraj has issued a mandatory directive: no passenger or tourist is permitted to board a boat without a life jacket.
With the summer season bringing unpredictable Kalbaisakhi storms and potential cyclones, the administration is strictly enforcing the Odisha Boat Rules. Boat owners and operators are now legally responsible for passenger safety. Key measures include:
Mandatory Life Jackets: Compulsory for all passengers and crew during transit.
Fitness & Permit Checks: Divisional officers will rigorously inspect the technical fitness and operational permits of all private vessels.
Zero Tolerance: The administration has warned of stern legal action against owners or operators who flout these safety protocols.
Official notices have been dispatched to major stakeholders, including the Badkul and Ma Kalijai Boat Owners Associations. This proactive crackdown aims to safeguard tourists while ensuring that the boating industry adheres to the highest safety standards during the volatile storm season.