Jagan forms special committee to probe Godavari boat tragedy

Visakhapatnam : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy said that their government would form a special committee to probe into the Sunday’s boat tragedy. In the Godavari River mishap at least 33 persons feared drowned when the Rayal Vasishta boat capsized. The committee will be probing the circumstances that led to the accident and also expose the loopholes of the various departments.

The chief minister along with Home Minister Mekathoti Sucharitha on Monday conducted an aerial survey on Godavari River. The mishap occurred at Devipatnam mandal in East Godavari district. Jagan also visited the Rajahmundry Government General Hospital and interacted with the survivors in the boat mishap.

Reviewing the incident with the officials of various departments, chief minister Jaganmohan Reddy said that their government would take stringent measures to prevent such incidents in the future. He also suggested permanent steps for safe water transport in Andhra Pradesh.

The special committee led by the Special Chief Secretary, Irrigation as chairman includes Special Secretary, Revenue, Additional DG Law & Order, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Director Ports as members will complete the probe. The committee will submit their report within 45 days, Jaganmohan Reddy added.

Wondering how the private boats were allowed when the river Godavari in spate, Jaganmohan Reddy said that there is need to set up a regulatory mechanism. He directed the ports department to have periodical checking for every month on the fitness of the licensed boats in the state.

The rescue teams reportedly located the ill-fated boat 275 feet depth of the water at Kachuluru. The special side-scan sonar team from Uttarakhand arrived East Godavari on Monday to take up the rescue operations from Tuesday.