Generally media gives prominence to world events but the tragic ship accident off the Italian coast has not been given the attention it deserves. The incident of the luxury sea crusader Concordia, resulting in death of at least five passengers with many missing when it tipped over is most tragic.

This luxury ship liner was on a trip around the Mediterranean Sea with about 4,200 passengers onboard. This incident has clearly highlighted the lack of safety standards and safety operating procedures prevailing in many such cruisers, which are like mini cities with 4,000-5,000 people onboard. In fact, survivors who escaped this tragedy are recounting a scene reminiscent of ‘TITANIC’ the deadliest maritime disaster with 1517 deaths in the year 1912.

Surviving passengers have complained of horrific movements, delayed and absolutely unorganised evacuation. Passengers had to even crawl out to reach a safety point for evacuation and crew members hardly gave them proper direction regarding evacuation which resulted in many jumping in the sea. The point is that passengers have said that no evacuation drill was performed though drill is mandatory and should take place when the ship departs.

Though cruise liners manufacturers claim that these mega ships are more stable and come with modern navigation equipment than their predecessors, a comprehensive safety audit of all luxury ship liners must be undertaken, especially of all those ships which are old and have recently undergone renovation for their sea worthiness as thousands of human lives 
are involved.

Sir—refers to the editorial, “Avoidable tragedy” (October 2). The horrific boat accident at Thekkady Lake reflects the pathetic conditions prevailing at major tourist spots in India. It is tragic that the Thekkady Lake accident is not an isolated incident. Kerala Tourism did not learn a lesson from a similar incident at Thattekkad bird sanctuary in 2007.

These two incidents will remain a blot on the reputation of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. Immediate steps must be taken at all tourist destinations to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.

This refers to the story “Overloaded Indian ferry capsizes killing 103, more missing.” Through this letter I would like to point out lack of safety regulations in India’s inland waterway transport.

Horrific boat disaster that took place a couple of days back in river Brahmaputra in Assam is the glaring example of pathetic state of safety measures in river/water transport in not only Assam but in the entire country.

This is among the worst ever boat disaster in India in which about 200 people are feared dead. This double-decker steamer was going from Dhubri ferry station to Mediatory in river Brahmaputra as these ferries/motorboats/steamers are the only mode of transport for the people living on both banks of the river Brahmaputra in Dhuri and Gopalpura districts in Assam and these boats are not properly maintained and no monitoring system and there is no monitoring system to ascertain whether safety measures are being taken by the ferry operators or not. This disaster was waiting to happen as these private ferry operators flout norms by overloading.

In order to avert such horrific tragedies like this, the Indian government must put in place safety mechanism and ensure its implementation across the country.

With reference to the editorial In troubled waters again (Our Take, May 3), the recent boat mishap in Assam is shocking. The state authorities are responsible for this tragedy. Had the inland waterways guidelines been adhered to, this tragedy could have been avoided. The general public’s ‘sab chalta hai’ attitude is also responsible for such unfortunate incidents.

Sir, Through the columns of your esteemed news paper Khaleej times ,focus of my this letters is glaring example of lack of safety regulations in India's inland waterway transport. Horrific boat disaster that took place two days back in river Brahmputra in Assam, is the glaring example of pathetic state of lack of safety in river/water transport in not only Assam riverine but in entire country, This is among the worst ever boat disaster in India in which about 200 people are feared dead, This doube decker Steamer was going from Dhubri ferry station to Mediartary in river Brahmaputra as these ferries/motorboats/steamers are primarily mode of transport for the people living on both banks of the river Brahmputra in Dhuri and Goplpura districts in Assam and these boats are hardly maintained properly and no monitoring system.

This Disaster was waiting to happen as these private ferry operators flout norms by over loading Ferries with passengers and goods for lure of money,Though this accident is caused due amdist cyclonic storm leading to capsizing of boat,This steamer was heavily overloaded and was supposed to carry maximum 150 passengers but was carrying much above capacity of over 350/400 passengers, had it been not overloaded probably, ferry would have withstood cyclonic storm and not have capsized.

Ferries Over loading is one of the Main cause of such boat tragedies in Indian rivers ,This accident clearly exampilfies pathetic state of safety standards being followed in unchecked water transportation in India, this case is not the isolated cases earlier also many boat tragedies have taken places in India due to lack of safety regulation, lack of Standard operating procedure (SOP) to be followed during such mishaps

Hence it is time central government of India very rigidlyset up safety mechanism / Insist on safety regulations for these ferries(small steamers), No Overloading at all and proper maintenance for monitoring system for these ferries which are popular mode of Transportation for people settled of river Brahmaputra.

Governmnet should put in place a safety supervision body for periodically check of ferries, These ferries should have proper safety equipment which can be used in time of emergencies , like Life jackets and one safety gaurds who can guide passengers during such tragedies to save precious human live,this area being prone to cyclon still there is no early warning system in place to alert boats.