After the boat capsizing tragedy the concerned authorities came under severe criticism for the inordinate delay in the completion of under-construction footbridge at Gandbal in Srinagar. The footbridges should be constructed speedily wherever needed. The incident also brought into focus the lack of safety measures for those crossing the rivers in boats.
The boats are being used at a number of places by the people in Kashmir to cross rivers. They include men, women, children, young and elderly persons. Their safety must be of high importance. All measure need to be put in place to ensure the safety of those riding the boats. According to experts the life saving jackets must be made available. The boats should not be over-loaded.
Over-loaded boats become vulnerable to mishaps. There should be a check on the number of persons on a boat. The boatmen should ensure that the persons in the boat are not exceeding its capacity. Those who have to cross the rivers too must see to it that they are not in overloaded boats, risking their lives.
If they feel that the boat is over-loaded they must immediately get down before the boat starts its movement in the river. The concerned officials too must keep on visiting such spots to check that the boats are not carrying persons beyond capacity.
Action should be taken against those boatmen, indulging in such things. The people and the boatmen should take extra care during or after the rains due to the rising water level in the rivers. If the boating is risky in the swelled rivers, it should be avoided. Lives can not be put to danger in any case. Secondly, the response of the rescue teams should be quick to save the lives in case of a mishap.
Since very less people know swimming so the role of expert rescue teams immediately after the mishap is very vital. Time factor is very crucial. If there is a a timely rescue operation, the chances of survival of those drowning are more. Any delay proves disastrous.
As the government is intended to promote water transport in a big way in future, making all the required safety measures is very important. Those are equally important right now as people keep on traveling in boats to reach from one place to other.