Brahmagiri: As many as 200 passengers had a harrowing experience for about three hours after the boat in which they were travelling got stuck in the middle of Chilika Lake Saturday afternoon.
Sources said the vessel started its journey to Satpada from Janhikuda ghat with a mini bus, a tractor and 200 passengers. However, it got stuck in sludge one-and-a-half kilometres into the lake after the driver went in a wrong direction due to alleged negligence.
According to sources, the Chilika Development Authority has made arrangement for the vessel to ferry passengers between 5 km stretch of Janhikuda ghat and Satpada ghat. The vessel travels in a channel marked by concrete pillars on both sides. The Chilika Development Authority maintains the channel. The incident occurred after the driver took a wrong route.
On being informed about the incident, another ferry boat with a rescue team reached the spot and brought all the passengers to safety.
Sources said incidents of vessel getting stuck in the lake is frequent here due to the negligence of the boat driver and technical hitches, posing a risk to the lives of passengers. The locals demanded the development authorities to look into the issue. PNN
