Hirakud dam

Sambalpur, Feb. 14: BJP leader Suresh Pujari today demanded criminal action against water resource department officials for the Hirakud boat tragedy of February 9 in which 31 people lost their lives.

Pujari said: “The water resource department is the custodian of the reservoir. It is also the licensing authority for ferry service in the reservoir. Boatman Akshya Rana, who has been arrested in connection with the accident, was there to drain out the water. He had risked his life and rescued several people from drowning,” he said.

“If the boatman is responsible for the accident, then the water resource department officials are also equally responsible,” Pujari said.

Pujari also said that officials of works, commerce and transport departments and the district administration were also responsible for the incident.

“The works department certify passenger capacity of the boat. Similarly, the commerce and transport department should check the fitness and safety measures of the boat,” he added.

“Boat service in the reservoir has been stopped following the mishap. People depend on boat for their daily transport. The government should immediately make arrangement for transportation of people to the other side of the reservoir,” he said.

He also demanded construction of a bridge over the reservoir for better communication.

Superintending engineer of water resource department R.K. Panda said: “The matter is sub-judice. The matter will also be inquired by the revenue divisional commissioner.”

The block development officer of Dhankauda block has already been issued a showcause notice after it was revealed that the Sonutikra ghat along left dyke of Hirakud Dam, from where the picnickers had boarded the boat to go to the picnic spot, was not auctioned in last financial year.