Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee has launched a scathing attack on the state government following a recent passenger boat fire, accusing the Captain of Ports Department of gross negligence and lack of basic maritime safety infrastructure.
Congress alleged that the vessel that caught fire had not undergone any safety audit, and shockingly, the Captain of Ports Department has no disaster management system in place. “There are absolutely no safety measures. If a disaster occurs on board, the department is not equipped to handle it,” said Goa Congress President Amit Patkar.
Patkar emphasized that the firefighting system was completely absent on the boat, and questioned why emergency response had to rely on land-based firefighters. He also raised concerns over the non-functional firefighting system on a nearby tugboat and the absence of a radio officer on board during the emergency.
“Had safety protocols been in place, this could have been prevented. The absence of a firefighting system and a communication officer at sea is inexcusable,” Patkar said.
The incident comes just days after another ferry boat caught fire, where no safety precautions were followed, and operators had to use seawater to extinguish the flames — an act Congress says highlights the complete lack of preparedness.
Drawing parallels with the tragic Srigao incident, Patkar warned that continued government apathy is endangering lives. “This negligence is an invitation to another disaster,” he said.
The Congress party has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the state government to Conduct and publish a full safety audit of all vessels, andEnsure every vessel is equipped with a designated radio officer
“The government must act immediately to restore public confidence and ensure passenger safety,” Patkar added.
