Mumbai: A Navy boat, reportedly patrolling recklessly at high speed, lost control and collided with a ferry, causing it to capsize. The ferry was carrying 110 passengers at the time, all equipped with life jackets provided by the management. In the tragic ferry accident involving the Neelkamal near Elephanta, new allegations have emerged.
The incident has sparked allegations of negligence by Navy personnel. According to Subhash More, master of the Almaryam ferry boat, a Navy speedboat operator allegedly flaunted recklessly in front of female tourists, distracting the ferry's crew and possibly contributing to the tragic accident.
More stated, "While we were navigating the ferry, the Navy speedboat operator was flaunting in front of female passengers, causing a momentary loss of focus. This is not an isolated incident; we have repeatedly faced such issues and attempted to report them to the concerned authorities." Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the accident and address the claims of negligence.
Further investigations are underway to ascertain the sequence of events and hold the responsible parties accountable. The owner of Neelkamal, Rajendra Padate, alleged that the Navy boat's irresponsible maneuvering led to the accident. “All passengers fell into the water as the ferry overturned,” he stated.
Eyewitnesses and other boat operators have pointed fingers at the Navy's unrestrained patrolling practices. Subhash More, the operator of another ferry boat, accused the Navy of reckless boating, claiming that their vessels often speed unnecessarily to attract attention. “The Navy boat was being driven erratically and at high speed, leading to a loss of control and this tragic accident,” More added.
“Gateway of India attracts tourists from across India and abroad. To ensure their safety and that of ferry boats, it is imperative for the Maritime Board and Coast Guard to establish robust safety mechanisms. The administration must take precautions to prevent such incidents in the future," stated former MLA Jayant Patil.
Authorities are continuing their investigations into the incident and working to ensure the safety of ferry operations in the region.
