The report of the administrative inquiry into the Hirakud Reservoir boat tragedy was on Tuesday submitted to the State Government by Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) of northern division PK Meherda.
The 22-page report was submitted by Meherda at the Home Secretary’s office. The inquiry focused on three issues, cause of the boat tragedy, persons responsible for the mishap and possible remedies to avoid such incidents in future.
The report was based on depositions of 51 persons, including officials, along with Meherda’s own observations and recommendations. Thirty-one people had died when the boat carrying about 135 people capsized on its way back from an island inside the Hirakud dam reservoir.
Most of the deceased were members of a picnic party organised by Lions Club of Sambalpur at Marangdunguri in Hirakud. Four persons, including president of the Lions Club, Sambalpur, were arrested in connection with the mishap.