Close shave for 200 passengers as vessel gets stuck in Chilika

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Brahmagiri: About 200 passengers had a miraculous escape after a vessel carrying them got stuck leaving them stranded in the middle of the Chilika lake Wednesday.
The incident took place in the morning. Apart from the passengers, there were two buses and over 50 bikes on board the vessel that got stranded in the water for about two hours. Later, another vessel from Satpada rescued the passengers and brought them to safety.
According to sources, the vessel started journey from Satpada in the morning. A few metres into the water, it veered out of its course and got stuck. Some passengers said the driver of the vessel was absent and another person was piloting it. He could not take the vessel through the channel and got stuck.
Sources said stranding of vessels and passengers boats is not uncommon in Chilika. However, the Chilika development authority (CDA) allegedly does not take any measures in this regard. Consequently, the passengers bear the brunt. Speaking about the incident, a CDA official said, “The vessels could not move forward and got stuck due to strong winds. The passengers were brought to safety with the help of another vessel.” The vessel service remained suspended in Chilika till Wednesday afternoon following the incident.