In the wake of the tragic Elephanta boat accident, Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao has mandated enhanced safety protocols at all lakes within the jurisdiction of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) where boating facilities are available.
An official statement from the TMC highlighted that there are 35 lakes under its jurisdiction, with boating facilities provided at three prominent lakes: Masunda Lake, Upvan Lake, and Ambeghosale Lake. These locations offer paddle boats and machine boats for public recreation. Specifically, Masunda Lake has 35 paddle boats and two machine boats, Upvan Lake features 16 paddle boats and one machine boat, and Ambeghosale Lake is equipped with four paddle boats and one machine boat. Contractors are responsible for managing these boating services.
To ensure citizen safety, the TMC has ordered the strict implementation of safety measures at these boating locations. It is now mandatory for all individuals engaging in boating activities to wear safety jackets. Additionally, contractors have been instructed to equip boats with essential safety gear, including buoy rings, ropes, and life jackets.
On Friday, Deputy Commissioner of the Environment Department, Dr. Padmasree Bainade, along with Chief Environment Officer Manisha Pradhan, conducted inspections of Masunda, Upvan, and Ambeghosale lakes. They issued firm instructions to contractors to prioritize safety and avoid any negligence in adhering to boating safety protocols.
Municipal Commissioner Rao has also appealed to residents to cooperate by following safety guidelines issued by the TMC while enjoying boating activities.
Life Jackets Made Mandatory at Gateway of India
In a related development, following the Elephanta boat tragedy, where a ferry-Navy craft collision claimed 13 lives off the Mumbai coast, authorities have made life jackets mandatory for all passengers boarding boats at the Gateway of India. This measure, reported by news agency PTI, aims to prevent similar incidents in the future.
However, some tourists have pointed out that life jackets can only be effective if users are educated on how to properly utilize them during emergencies. Survivors of the tragedy alleged that the ferry involved in the accident did not have an adequate number of life jackets, further emphasizing the need for stringent enforcement of safety measures.
These initiatives underscore the critical importance of prioritizing safety in all water-based recreational activities to prevent future tragedies.
