Madhya Pradesh’s Culture and Tourism Minister, Dharmendra Singh Lodhi, expressed deep distress over the Bargi Dam cruise tragedy in Jabalpur, attributing the vessel’s sinking to a sudden storm while acknowledging the presence of negligence. The state government, under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has initiated a high-level inquiry committee with a one-week deadline to investigate the incident comprehensively. Lodhi emphasized that accountability will be established post the inquiry’s completion, ensuring strict action against those found responsible for any lapses.
The Minister clarified that negligence encompassed various aspects such as the enforcement of safety protocols, monitoring of weather conditions, and operational readiness of the cruise. He dismissed claims of overcrowding as the sole cause of the tragedy, highlighting the vessel’s capacity of over 60 individuals. Lodhi underscored the impact of a severe storm as the immediate trigger for the accident, coupled with potential human errors that exacerbated the situation.
Addressing concerns regarding operational conditions, Lodhi mentioned the suspension of all cruise vessel operations in Madhya Pradesh as a precautionary measure to guarantee passenger safety. He emphasized the ongoing investigation into technical defects of the vessel, ensuring that findings will be publicly disclosed. The Minister urged for responsible reactions to the tragedy, discouraging its politicization and emphasizing the need for systemic corrections over political gains.
