Odisha Govt Mandates Life Jackets for All Boat Passengers

Bhubaneswar: In a decisive move to enhance passenger safety, the Odisha Government has made it compulsory for all boat passengers to wear life jackets while travelling across the state’s inland waters.

The directive, finalised after a high-level safety review chaired by the Principal Secretary of the Commerce & Transport Department, comes in response to recent boat capsize incidents.

Under the new rules, boat operators must carry life jackets equal to passenger capacity, along with life buoys and fire safety equipment.

Surprise inspections will be conducted to ensure compliance, and strict penalties will be imposed on violators, particularly those overloading boats or ignoring safety norms.

To support operators, the government has extended the Sahid Baji Rout Noujatra Suraksha Yojana, providing life-saving equipment free of cost to government boats and at a 95% subsidy to private operators.

Departments including Fisheries, Tourism, and Forest & Environment will coordinate to ensure comprehensive safety coverage.