Jammu- Renowned RTI activist Balvinder Singh has raised concerns about the lack of enforcement of life jacket regulations for Shikara rides in Srinagar’s Dal and Nigeen Lakes. Despite orders from the J&K Tourism Department, implementation remains inadequate, posing a risk to tourists.
To enhance tourist safety and prevent accidents during Shikara rides, the J&K Tourism Department issued Govt Order No. 70-JK(TSM) of 2023 dated 29.05.2023, making life jackets mandatory on Shikara boats. This order reinforces a previous mandate, Govt Order No. 58-JK(TSM) of 2021, which required Shikara operators to have a sufficient number of life-saving jackets on their houseboats and Shikaras, failing which the registration under the J&K Tourist Trade Act, 1978, shall be cancelled.
Balvinder stated that during his recent visit to the valley discovered a significant lack of compliance with these directives. “I was surprised to find that only a few Shikaras had life jackets, and even those were often packed away rather than being readily available for use,” Singh remarked. This lack of enforcement leaves tourists vulnerable, especially in adverse weather conditions.
In contrast, Singh highlighted the strict enforcement of safety measures at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, where wearing a life jacket is mandatory before boarding a boat. Sukhana lake’s depth ranges from 8 feet (2.4 meters) to 16 feet (4.9 meters). By comparison, Dal Lake’s depth varies from 4.7 feet (1.42 meters) to 20 feet (6 meters), yet similar safety protocols are not enforced with the same rigor.
Singh also referenced a recent tragic incident in the valley where a boat capsized in the Jhelum River, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, including four children . Following this incident, the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir issued an advisory making life jackets compulsory for all passengers. Despite these measures, enforcement remains poor despite the lapse of more than three months.
Singh calls for the authorities to amend the existing order and make it mandatory for every passenger to wear a life-saving jacket before boarding any boat, not only in Dal and Nigeen Lakes but in all water bodies across Kashmir. “It is imperative to implement these regulations on the ground to protect precious lives,” Singh urged.
Singh stated that his aim is to highlight the critical need for stringent enforcement of safety measures to ensure the well-being of all visitors to Srinagar’s picturesque water bodies.
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