Rewa Administration Yet to Wake Up After Bargi Tragedy, Unsafe Boat Operations Continue on Tams River

Despite the recent Bargi dam cruise tragedy, unsafe boat operations continue at Chilla Ghat in Rewa’s Tams river, where passengers are reportedly crossing daily without life jackets or basic safety arrangements.

Safety Norms Ignored

Even after the fatal Bargi dam cruise accident in Jabalpur that claimed 13 lives, alleged violations in boat operations continue unchecked in parts of Rewa district. At Chilla Ghat on the Tams river under Teonthar tehsil, wooden boats are still ferrying passengers without life jackets and other mandatory safety measures, raising fears of a possible mishap.

Locals say the situation has remained unchanged for months despite repeated complaints to authorities. Daily commuters, including school and college students, women and elderly residents, continue to rely on these boats to cross the river.

Overcrowded Wooden Boats

According to residents, each boat often carries 10 to 15 passengers at a time, sometimes beyond its safe capacity. None of the passengers are reportedly provided life jackets before boarding. There is also no visible emergency equipment or trained personnel present at the ghat.

People familiar with the route said the river crossing becomes particularly risky during busy morning and evening hours when students and workers rush to reach nearby villages and towns.

The absence of safety monitoring has triggered concern among villagers, especially in the backdrop of the recent Bargi incident that renewed debate over water transport safety across Madhya Pradesh.

Villagers Raise Concerns

Local residents alleged that administrative officials have been informed several times about the unsafe operations, but no concrete action has been taken so far. Many villagers believe authorities are reacting only after major accidents occur.

Some residents claimed there is no fixed passenger regulation for the boats and operators continue services without routine inspections. With summer travel increasing in rural areas, the pressure on these crossings has also grown in recent weeks.

The issue has now started drawing wider public attention after videos and photographs from Chilla Ghat circulated locally.

Students Forced to Travel

College student Anoop Singh Chauhan said commuters are left with no alternative option and are forced to risk their lives every day to cross the river.

He said small children and elderly passengers also use the same boats regularly, but there are no safety arrangements on board. According to him, the administration should have become more alert after the Bargi tragedy, yet the ground situation in Teonthar remains unchanged.

Residents said sudden weather changes or overcrowding could easily lead to an accident in the narrow wooden boats currently operating at the ghat.

Administration Promises Inquiry

Reacting to the matter, Teonthar Naib Tehsildar Virendra Dwivedi said the issue would be examined if such irregularities were found. He stated that the SDERF would be informed for inspection and necessary verification.

He also said strict action would be taken against those found violating safety norms during boat operations.

However, till late evening, boat services at Chilla Ghat were reportedly continuing in the same manner without visible enforcement or intervention on the ground.

Bargi Accident Impact

The recent Bargi dam cruise accident in Jabalpur had prompted demands for stricter enforcement of water transport rules across the state. Safety experts and local groups had then called for mandatory life jackets, passenger limits and regular inspections of all boats operating in rivers and reservoirs.

The developments in Rewa have once again highlighted gaps in enforcement at rural river crossings, where people often depend on unregulated boats for daily travel.

For now, villagers crossing the Tams river at Chilla Ghat say they have little choice but to continue travelling under risky conditions, hoping that another tragedy does not strike before authorities act.