Jabalpur: Home Guards’ Motorboat Capsizes After Engine Malfunctions In Narmada River; Probe Reveals Shocking Details

In a tragic incident, a motorboat carrying Jawans capsized into the Narmada River during patrolling in Jabalpur Gwarighat on Friday. The incident occurred as atrolling was carried out after an alert was issued at the Narmada Ghat as the Bargu Ghat gates were opened.

The motorboat’s engine suddenly malfunctioned, and water started to enter into the vessel. It is reported that the vessel was carrying people, exceeding its capacity. While a few home guards swam safely, the remaining passengers were rescued by divers and local sailors. No casualties have been reported yet.

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What Went Wrong?

It is alleged that the motorboat, despite having a capacity of four to five people, was carrying 12 Home Guard soldiers, including the drivers, lacking seating arrangements, yet the soldiers were transported aboard through the strong current.

The engine failed mid-water, highlighting the boat’s maintenance and faulty inspection. According to reports, the motorboat was patrolling the ghat to ensure the safety of pilgrims and monitor the waters. During this time, the boat capsized in the river. Negligence on the part of the driver is also being suspected.

Home Guard Commandant Neeraj Singh has called for an investigation into the matter. The boat capsize at Gaurighat brought to mind the cruise ship accident at Jabalpur's Bargi Dam.

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Home Guards have ordered a detailed investigation into the matter. They are now probing as to why there were more people than the prescribed limit in the vessel.

Separate Incident

On April 30, a passenger cruise boat had capsized, leaving 13 dead in the Bargi Dam reservoir on the Narmada River near Jabalpur. A sudden, intense evening storm with strong winds and rough waves lashed against the vessel, causing it to overturn within minutes.

Operations involved the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, and Army divers. During the probe, it was found out that the boat had many safety and regulatory failures, including a lack of mandatory insurance, delayed distribution of life jackets, and weather warnings allegedly unheeded or uncommunicated.