GPCC President Amit Patkar Slams BJP Govt Over Cruise Boat Fire: Demands Immediate Safety Audit and Action
GPCC President Amit Patkar Slams BJP Govt Over Cruise Boat Fire: Demands Immediate Safety Audit and Action
Panaji :- The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President, Shri Amit Patkar, has launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led state government and the Captain of Ports Department, holding them squarely responsible for gross negligence and complete lack of basic maritime safety infrastructure in the wake of the recent passenger boat fire incident.
Shri Amit Patkar said that the Captain of Ports Department has utterly failed to enforce even the most basic safety standards for vessels operating in Goan waters. The recent incident, where a vessel caught fire, is a glaring example of the BJP government’s criminal disregard for public safety. Shockingly, there is no disaster management system in place for the state’s inland waterways. If anything goes wrong, the Captain of Ports Department is simply incapable of responding to a crisis.
The GPCC President further exposed that the ill-fated cruise boat had no adequate firefighting system or trained crew on board, underscoring the complete collapse of safety oversight by the Captain of Ports Department. This shocking incident has laid bare the BJP government’s total failure to protect passengers and crew members on Goa’s waters.
The Congress Party demands an immediate and comprehensive audit of all vessels operating under the Captain of Ports Department. Furthermore, the GPCC demands that the Captain of Ports Department and the Minister of Captain of Ports make public the Public Safety Report without any further delay.
Shri Amit Patkar also highlighted the dangerous situation in the narrow Mandovi river channel, where there is no Vessel Traffic System (VTS) or any tracking, monitoring, and guiding systems in place, as mandated under the ISPS code developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). These systems are essential for any major or minor port’s safe operation, and the BJP government’s utter negligence in this regard puts the lives of crew and passengers at grave risk, especially during nighttime navigation.
Additionally, Goa Congress is alarmed by the lack of any radio officer or traffic monitoring officer to oversee vessel movement and ensure safety. This blatant disregard for international maritime standards is yet another instance of the BJP government’s incompetence and failure.
Congress has also highlighted another critical safety lapse: there are no color markings or light markings for the three Mandovi bridges. This glaring omission poses a significant hazard, as vessels navigating the river at night or in low-visibility conditions risk colliding with the bridge pillars. Such an incident could not only damage the bridges but also endanger the lives of passengers and crew.
The Congress Party also reminds the BJP government that as per the Inland Vessels Act of 2021, all inland vessels exceeding 10 meters must be built and maintained in accordance with the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) standards. It is a matter of utmost public importance to immediately disclose how many vessels in Goa operate without IRS certification and how many are operating without meeting minimum safety standards.
Issuing a stern warning, Shri Amit Patkar said the Congress is giving the Captain of Ports Department 15 days to rectify these dangerous lapses and implement all necessary safety measures. If they fail to do so, the Congress will launch a massive protest at the Captain of Ports Department to expose the BJP government’s reckless indifference to the safety and security of Goans and tourists.
The Congress Party stands firm in its commitment to protect the lives of Goans and all visitors to our state and will not tolerate the BJP government’s shameless neglect of maritime safety.
Issued by:
*Amit Patkar*
(President),
*Goa Pradesh Congress Committee*
