Biggest cover-up in cruise tragedy exposed:Tourism Dept insured resort, not the vessel; Bhaskar reveals truth before govt

In the Bargi Dam cruise accident in Jabalpur, a major lie by the Tourism Department has been exposed by the Dainik Bhaskar. It’s investigation team has revealed that the department had not insured the cruise. The insurance policy was taken in the name of Mackal Resort. The department had also not informed the company that the resort operates a cruise and that passengers board it. Additionally, the investigation revealed that there is no system to relay weather alerts to the pilot and staff. The responsibility of monitoring weather lies entirely with the pilot. Despite the alert on April 30, the cruise was operated, whereas operations were stopped in Varanasi for the same reason. Passengers were not given emergency or safety instructions. The government has ordered an inquiry into these negligence. The High Court has taken suo motu cognizance and directed registration of an FIR and submission of a report within two days. Before the investigation report, Bhaskar is revealing at what level the negligence occurred. Read the report….. Know about these lies in detail 1. The Biggest Lie: Insurance in the name of resort, no mention of cruise Tourism Department’s Water Activity Head Retired Naval Commander Rajendra Nigam claimed that the cruise insurance was expiring on March 21 and the premium was sent on March 19, which was not approved by the company. What is the truth?: Officials of United India Insurance Company stated that the department had not taken insurance in the name of the cruise at all. The policy was in the name of ‘Maikal Resort’. The department also did not inform the company that the resort operates a cruise and that passengers board it. The resort’s insurance expired on March 21. On March 24, the department sent a premium of Rs 37,003. Upon learning about the cruise operation, the company returned the money on April 2. According to the company, ‘Marine Category’ insurance is mandatory for cruises, which requires registration and valuation, but the department did not provide this. The cruise was illegally operated by taking insurance for the resort under the ‘Public Liability Insurance Act 1991’. 2. Warning ignored: 41 lives at stake for Rs 8,000 On the day of the accident, the Meteorological Department had issued a ‘Yellow Alert’ 24 hours in advance and a ‘Now Cast’ warning 3 hours before about a storm with rain at 60 km per hour. MP Tourism has no system to relay this alert to the pilot. For a ticket collection of Rs 8800 at Rs 220 per person, the lives of 41 passengers were put at risk. Captain Mahesh Patel admitted that he does not receive weather information and operates the cruise based on guesswork. Varanasi showed wisdom On April 29, 721 people had made bookings for cruises in Varanasi. After the weather department’s warning, all tickets were cancelled and money was refunded. Here, 7 cruises operate for Ganga Darshan, which have a capacity of 70 to 110 people. Ajay, operator of Vishwanath Cruise, said that bookings were cancelled on the 29th due to the forecast of strong winds. Cruises and boats are prohibited when winds exceed 25 km per hour. 3. Safety and rescue ‘system fail’ According to rules, wearing life jackets is mandatory for every passenger, but in Bargi they were taken into the middle of the water without jackets. When the cruise started sinking, attempts were made to get the jackets out, but it was too late. Captain Mahesh Patel said that when water started filling in and one engine stopped, he called for help, but the rescue boat did not arrive on time. At that time, the manager of Mackal Resort was in Jabalpur. That means there was no backup plan. 4. Attempt to destroy evidence? cruise dismantled before investigation Serious questions are being raised about the dismantling of the cruise after the accident. There are allegations that it was hastily destroyed to hide poor structure and technical flaws. However, the department argues that it was necessary to rescue people trapped in the cabin. Straight Talk: Rajendra Nigam, Water Activity Head, MP Tourism Question: What do you consider to be the cause of the accident?
Answer: This is completely a natural disaster. In 17 years, none of our boats have had an accident. If there had been negligence, there would have been an accident earlier as well. Question: Why did water fill in the cruise?
Answer: There was a cyclone that day and the wind speed was so high that the rear part of the cruise stopped working and it capsized. Technically the cruise was fit, it had been repaired in July 2024 itself. Question: Why wasn’t the weather department’s warning seen?
Answer: The staff has been given training. The skipper is qualified. A system for local warnings is now being developed. I could not see that day’s warning. Question: Why was the cruise broken?
Answer: Our priority was to save people. The cruise had capsized and it was not possible to reach some parts, so it had to be broken.