Post News Network
Kendrapara, May 25: Even as the state government has provided funds for construction of pucca roads and bridges in the district, several bridges and road construction works are either yet to be started or lying half-constructed.
In the absence of proper communication facilities, residents of riverside villages are entirely dependent on ferries for communicating with the outer world.
Though thousands of people of the district use ferries for travelling to schools, colleges, hospitals and other places every day, the ferries do not maintain minimum safety norms prescribed by district administration, locals alleged.
Fifty three ferry ghats are functioning in the district – 18 ghats in Mahakalapada, 12 in Garadpur, eight in Rajkanika, six in Aul, four in Rajnagar, two each in Pattamundai and Derabish and one in Kendrapara block.
According to a report by the district emergency department, most of the boats in these ghats are not registered and operating without licenses.
In most of the ferry ghats, ferries put the lives of people in danger as they carry more passengers than their capacity and do not adhere to safety norms.
The boat operators also do not keep safety items like life jackets and fire extinguishers for use during emergencies, alleged locals.
Ironically, the district administration has remained a mute spectator over this issue, they added.
In last one year, three boats have capsized in the district at Pattamundai, Rajnagar and Mahakalapada blocks while three children drowned in the incidents. But the district administration is yet to implement the directions for ferries issued by the state government.
The government had earlier directed the district administration to ensure boats are never overloaded and have valid registrations and licenses.
Following the direction, the district administration had constituted a committee to cross check validity of licenses and capacity of boats for ensuring safety of passengers. Later, the administration directed all ferry owners to register their boats and obtain licenses for ferrying in rivers before May 30 last to avoid confiscation of their ferries and legal action.
However, nothing has been done till date, alleged locals.
According to sources, several reminders have been sent from district emergency office to all BDOs of the district to submit reports on number of boats, registration and licences in their respective blocks, but they are yet to submit the reports.
Responding over the issue, district collector Debaraj Senapati said he has recently directed all BDOs of the district to submit the
reports.
“After receiving the reports, necessary action would be taken against errant boat operators. The district administration would even confiscate illegal ferries and take legal action against their owners,” Senapati added.