Treacherous waters, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• Thirteen children drowned on October 13 in Raghopur, Vaishali district, Bihar, when an overcrowded and dilapidated country-made boat capsized in the Ganga river.
• The incident occurred after sunset, a time when river crossings are prohibited, highlighting severe lapses in enforcement and safety protocols.
• Raghopur, a river island, faces chronic isolation due to a lack of all-weather roads and reliable public transport, making unsafe riverine journeys the sole option for many.
• Despite the existence of regulatory frameworks like the Bengal Ferries Act 1885 and the Inland Vessels Act 2021, training programs and inspections for safe transport practices are lagging.
• The tragedy underscores the vulnerability of children in economically disadvantaged communities who are exposed to preventable dangers due to inadequate public services.

Detailed Insights:

• The capsized boat was reportedly dilapidated, had a hole in its deck, and was being operated by a young, likely untrained, boatman.
• The vessel was carrying at least half a dozen people, significantly exceeding its reported capacity of five, contributing to its instability.
• Raghopur's geography, characterized by continuous sediment deposits, makes it particularly hard to access and prone to isolation during monsoons.
• The first section of the Kachchi Dargah-Bidupur bridge, connecting Patna and Raghopur, was inaugurated in June 2025, but its approach roads still flood, limiting its effectiveness.
• The Bengal Ferries Act 1885 provides for the regulation of ferries, granting state governments powers to manage public and private ferry operations and ensure safety.
• The Inland Vessels Act 2021 replaced the Inland Vessels Act, 1917, aiming to establish a uniform regulatory framework for inland navigation, including vessel registration, safety standards, and pollution prevention.
• The Model Rules 2011, framed under the Bengal Ferries Act 1885, detail requirements for ferry management, including boat registration, crew, and equipment.
• This incident highlights a broader issue, similar to a recent Bombay High Court ruling that criticized the Maharashtra government for failing to provide safe transport for children near Chandoli National Park and Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Inland Waterways: Navigable rivers, canals, and lakes used for transportation, crucial for regional connectivity and trade.
• Regulatory Framework: A system of laws, rules, and institutions designed to govern and ensure the safe and orderly operation of specific activities, such as ferry services.
• Child Protection: Policies and measures aimed at safeguarding the rights, safety, and well-being of children, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances.
• Infrastructure Development: The construction and improvement of fundamental facilities and systems, like bridges and roads, vital for economic and social progress.