- (1.) IN a tragic accident on Sunday afternoon (15.12.2013), an overcrowded boat capsized in Ranchi Lake also known as Bada Talab leaving at least four persons dead and about five others injured. It was reported that the accident took place on the date of inauguration of the Park, which also accommodates a Boating Club. Sunday's Bada Talab Boat Tragedy raises questions whether all the Boating Centres in the State are fully equipped with safety measures. The State of Jharkhand has immense potential in the tourism sector owing to the aesthetic beauty of the State, moderate climate and the hub of natural resources found here. Harnessing of the alluring water bodies to meet the growing demands for amusement should go hand in hand with setting of proper safety standards and redressal mechanisms. Proper monitoring of operation of boating services and availability of sufficient safeguard measures would greatly enhance the State Tourism also.
(2.) IN the light of the grim incident at the Ranchi Lake on 15.12.2013, it appears that there are lack of safety measures for boating services. It is not known whether the concerned persons including boat operators were having necessary skills and whether life jackets were made available and whether other safety measures were in place. If there are no proper safety measures at the Boating Centres, human lives are lost raising question of public importance. We can also take notice of the fact that almost every year such incidents happen, especially in Dasam Fall where visitors and tourists during their visits take around and visit those spots.
(3.) THE issue raises question of public importance so as to invoke the power to take suo motu cognizance of the safety measures and other related issues. Accordingly, suo motu cognizance of the matter is taken.;