In an unexpected turn of events, a boat carrying Union Minister Parshottam Rupala got stuck in Odisha’s Chilika Lake for approximately two hours on Sunday evening. Initially, there were suspicions that the boat might have become entangled in a fisherman’s net. However, the Union minister later clarified that they had lost their way in the expansive blue lagoon.
The incident occurred as Minister Rupala embarked on his journey from Barkul in Khurda district, heading to Satapada in Puri district through the picturesque blue lagoon. In the middle of the lake, near the Nalabana bird sanctuary, the motorized boat encountered an unforeseen challenge and became stuck for about two hours, as reported by a security official deployed in the minister’s convoy.
“It got dark, and the man steering the boat was new to the route, and we lost our way. It took us two more hours to reach Satapada,” shared the minister with reporters after the incident.
Prompt action was taken by the administration, which dispatched another vessel from Satapada to rescue the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, along with his associates who were stranded on the boat. BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra and a few local party leaders were among those accompanying Minister Rupala during the incident.
The second vessel facilitated the safe transportation of the minister and his associates to their intended destination. Mr. Rupala was scheduled to attend a program near Krushnaprasad area in Puri district, but it was canceled at the last moment due to the unforeseen incident. The minister eventually reached Puri around 10.30 pm.
The Union minister’s visit to Odisha is part of the 11th phase of the ‘Sagar Parikrama’ program, wherein he engages with fishermen. Earlier on the same day, he inaugurated the program at Gopalpur harbor in Ganjam district. The incident in Chilika Lake, though an unexpected hurdle, did not deter the minister from continuing his engagements in the state.
Mr. Rupala, along with Ports, Shipping & Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, is slated to lay the foundation for a project focused on the modernization and upgradation of Paradip fishing harbor on the subsequent day.
The incident underscores the challenges and unexpected turns that can occur during official visits and engagements, especially in regions with geographical intricacies. Despite the interruption, the administration’s quick response and the subsequent successful rescue demonstrate the efficiency and coordination in handling such situations.
As the Union Minister resumes his program in Odisha, the incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of travel, particularly in water bodies, and the importance of robust safety measures in place for such official visits.