By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 6 Apr: The tragic cruise accident at Bargi Dam in Jabalpur on 30 April, which claimed several lives, has shaken the entire nation and drawn attention to glaring safety lapses in water tourism across various states including Uttarakhand. The incident has not only raised serious concerns in Madhya Pradesh but has also cast a spotlight on Uttarakhand, where adventure tourism and water-based activities form a crucial part of the economy. It may be reminded here that a similarly alarming situation had unfolded in Tehri Garhwal earlier this week, underlining the urgent need for stricter safety enforcement.
Near the Dobra-Chanthi bridge area in Tehri Lake, strong winds and a sudden storm caused floating hutments situated on the water surface to break apart, leaving several tourists stranded in a precarious situation. The incident triggered panic among those present, serving a chilling reminder of how quickly such recreational activities can turn dangerous. Upon receiving information from the disaster control room in Tehri Garhwal, the State Disaster Response Force immediately mobilised a rescue operation. A team from the SDRF post at Koti Colony, led by Sub-Inspector Narendra Rana, rushed to the spot with necessary equipment.
On reaching the site, the team found that the floating hutments had been severely damaged and swept apart due to the intensity of the storm. Acting swiftly, the SDRF personnel launched a rescue operation and evacuated approximately 25 to 30 stranded people, majority of them being tourists. The tourists were safely brought out and transported to Koti Colony using a boat arranged by the Tourism Department. While no casualties were reported, the prompt response of the SDRF averted what could have turned into a disaster similar to the Jabalpur cruise mishap.
However, the Tehri incident has once again exposed vulnerabilities in Uttarakhand’s adventure tourism infrastructure, particularly at a time when tourist footfall continues to rise steadily. The state, renowned globally for its scenic beauty and activities such as river rafting in Rishikesh, boating in Nainital and water sports in Tehri Lake, attracts lakhs of visitors every year. However, the adequacy of safety arrangements for such a large number of tourists is now under serious scrutiny. Each year, security lapses are reported in activities such as river rafting and sky-diving but they are easily forgotten with the passage of time.
In the wake of these developments, the administration has finally initiated inspections and enforcement measures, particularly in Rishikesh, where rafting operations have been found to be flouting basic safety norms. Several operators have been reportedly allowing tourists into the river without life jackets and helmets, directly endangering lives. Acting on these violations, the authorities have imposed a 15-day ban on four rafting companies and issued strict instructions mandating compliance with prescribed safety standards and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Despite repeated warning signs and past incidents, the absence of a clearly defined and rigorously implemented SOP continues to raise questions. The experts and observers point out that merely drafting SOPs without ensuring their execution on the ground renders them ineffective. The Tehri episode, coupled with the Jabalpur tragedy, has intensified demands for a comprehensive and enforceable safety framework.
In response, directions are now being issued to formulate a specific SOP for floating hutments operating in Tehri Lake. A detailed inquiry has also been ordered to identify lapses, with Tehri Chief Development Officer Varun Agrawal stating that a safety audit of the structures will be conducted. He informed that the probe will be led by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kamlesh Mehta.
Past incidents in the region further remind of the persistent risks. It may be recalled that some years ago, a floating marina boat, procured and developed at considerable cost and which was once a major attraction in Tehri Lake, had sunk due to poor maintenance and technical shortcomings. Additionally, several incidents in recent years, including boat collisions near Dhari Devi temple in Srinagar and cases of tourists being swept away during rafting in Rishikesh, have exposed systemic weaknesses in safety management. In some cases, lives have been lost, yet the pace of reform has remained slow.
The officials, however, claim that steps are being taken to improve safety. District Tourism Development Officer of Tehri, Sawant Singh Rana stated that the condition of jetties and floating structures is under review and any negligence will attract strict action against the concerned operators. He added that although maintenance is conducted annually, it was adversely affected this year due to continuous rainfall and increased silt accumulation in the lake. According to SDRF officials, life jackets were available for all tourists present during the Tehri incident.
The administration has also claimed to have strengthened monitoring mechanisms, with SDRF and police teams deployed along rafting routes for continuous surveillance. Adventure activities are being temporarily suspended during adverse weather conditions, and efforts are being made to ensure that all tourists are equipped with and properly use safety gear.
Meanwhile in a significant development, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan has directed officials to adopt a more proactive and accountable approach towards ensuring implementation of SOPs. During a recent review, he had assessed disaster preparedness measures, including glacier lake outburst flood risk reduction, earthquake early warning systems and landslide management. The government also claims to be working to enhance early warning capabilities through the expansion of sensor and siren networks, in collaboration with institutions such as IIT Roorkee, so that timely alerts can be issued and potential damage minimised.
