Fresh safety audit of punts, boats plying across river Godavari ordered

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema District Collector R. Mahesh Kumar has directed officials to inspect the functioning of punts and boats operating across the river Godavari to ensure their compliance with safety norms.

The instructions come in the wake of a recent accident when a punt with 80 passengers onboard got stranded mid-river between Narsapuram and Sakhinetipalli Revu due to technical fault. Later, the service was restored within 48 hours.

In an official release, Mr. Mahesh Kumar said: “Officials from the Panchayat Raj, Irrigation and Ports Departments will assess the safety of the punts operating across the Godavari river at three locations - Sompalli, Sakhinetipalli Revu, Kotipalli”. In other stretches, engine boats are being used to ferry passengers across the river Godavari.

He stated that all punt and boat operators must obtain permissions from the irrigation or port authorities to continue operations. Strict action would be taken against anyone operating boats without permissions from the irrigation authorities.