As soon as the judicial inquiry into the Bargi Dam cruise boat accident began on Tuesday, a new controversy arose in the matter. The Citizens’ Consumer Guide Forum lodged serious objections before the inquiry commission headed by retired Justice Sanjay Dwivedi, alleging that the ill-fated cruise ship was dismantled administratively before the investigation began. During the hearing in Room No 43 of the Collectorate, Forum President Dr PG Najpande and Advocate Vedprakash Adhoulia stated that there is no provision in the Inland Vessels Act 2021 that permits the destruction of an ill-fated boat or cruise ship before the investigation is complete. The Forum, calling it a serious matter involving the potential loss of evidence, demanded a detailed investigation by the Commission. The petition also cited the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order of September 12, 2023. The forum claims that the ill-fated cruise boat did not have a four-stroke outboard engine, despite the NGT’s requirement for such engines.

 

According to the petition, the cruise was powered by two 105 hp diesel engines, and one of these engines failed at the time of the accident. The forum also alleged that the cruise operators lacked the necessary environmental clearance and pollution control certificates. The commission also questioned how the cruise operator would be assessed for its technical fitness, safety standards, and potential defects when the ill-fated cruise boat had already been destroyed. During the hearing, the Citizens Consumer Forum also claimed that the cruise boat had not undergone a mandatory survey for several years and was being operated without a valid survey certificate. The forum alleged violations of various sections of the Inland Vessels Act 2021 and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) boat safety guidelines, calling the case an example of serious negligence.

 

After the hearing, Justice Sanjay Dwivedi, chairman of the inquiry commission, stated that all the points raised in the petition would be prominently included in the investigation. The Commission has directed the petitioners to submit the relevant documents and has also said that they will be given an opportunity to present their side in the further hearing.