Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a scathing attack on the BJP-led Goa government, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Amit Patkar on Sunday held the state administration responsible for the ferry sinking incident at Chodan, terming it a result of “criminal negligence” and a “complete failure” to maintain vital public infrastructure.
The incident, which occurred earlier in the day, involved a ferry sinking near Chodan island. While no casualties have been reported so far, the Congress has warned that the outcome could have been tragic and is demanding strict accountability.
“This is not just an accident — it is the direct consequence of the BJP government’s utter disregard for the safety of Goans,” Patkar stated in a press note. He accused the government of prioritizing publicity and propaganda over essential safety protocols, alleging that crores are being spent on events while critical infrastructure such as ferry services continue to deteriorate.
Raising serious questions about the role of the Captain of Ports Department, Patkar demanded to know who was responsible for allowing the unfit vessel to operate, what safety checks were conducted, and why proper maintenance procedures were not followed. “Goans are not expendable,” he said, adding that had lives been lost, “their blood would have been on the hands of the BJP Government.”
The Congress leader called for the immediate dismissal of the Captain of Ports, an independent judicial inquiry into the incident, and an urgent audit of all operational ferries in the state.
He further asserted that the Congress stands with the people of Chodan and all Goans who depend on ferry transport, pledging that the party will not rest until accountability is ensured and justice is delivered.
