Flirting with danger is almost an everyday affair - The Hindu

Flirting with danger is almost an everyday affair - The Hindu

Flirting with danger is almost an everyday affair

B.V.S. BHASKAR

 

Poor maintenance of ferries puts lives at risk; more than 20 people died in last 3 years in Konaseema

Risky ride:People are crammed into a ferry while crossing the Godavari in Konaseema region of East Godavari district, unmindful of the risk involved.- Photo: S. RAMBABU

Bad condition of boats ferrying people of the island-mandals across the Godavari river in Konaseema is posing risk to the lives of the passengers.

Ferry boats are major mode of transport in Konaseema. Apart from people, vehicles, cattle and other material cross the Godavari river at different ferry points everyday.

However, East Godavari district administration and the panchayats seem to be more concerned about generating revenue through auctioning these ferry points than ensuring basic amenities to passengers, maintenance of boats.

Most of the time, these ferries are overloaded, leading to accidents. In the last three years, more than 20 people drowned apparently due to the negligence of the boat operators.

Auctioning

In Konaseema, there are three major ferry points which are auctioned every year or once in two years. Last year, Bodasakurru-Pasarlapudi ferry point in Allavaram mandal was auctioned for Rs.46 lakh; Kotipalli-Muktheswaram in K. Gangavaram Mandal for Rs.26 lakh and Sakhinetipalli-Narasapuram in Narasapuram mandal for Rs.86 lakh. All these ferry points are under the control of a committee headed by District Collector, ZP Chief Executive Officer, Mandal Parishad president and Sarpanch concerned. This apart, there are 12 other routes which are under Panchayat or Mandal Parishad’s control.

Antarvedipalli Palem-Biyyaputippa is one of the routes where the Godavari river merges into the sea. High water turbulence and tides make it a dangerous route. A boat accident claimed 10 lives here last year.

“Apart from overcrowding, water enters boats through holes. Ferries and wooden plaques used for getting into boats are also in bad shape. I think this is enough to risk lives of passengers,” says Satttipandu, a farmer from Sakhinetipalli.

Meeting planned

Asked, Amalapuram RDO Priyanka said she would convene a meeting of boat operators soon and look into the maintenance and overcrowding of ferries.