Nearly 50 passengers, including children and college students, were stranded for more than two hours in Chilika lake on Wednesday after a motorboat carrying them and around 20 motorcycles developed an engine snag during its journey from Janhikuda near Rambha in Ganjam district to Satapada in Puri district.
The boat broke down near Mahinsa village, leaving passengers unable to continue their journey across the lagoon. According to passengers, repeated attempts by the operator to repair the engine failed, while those on board waited for assistance in the middle of the lake.
Another boat eventually reached the stranded vessel after nearly two hours and rescued all the passengers. They were taken safely to the shore before continuing their journey to Satapada. Police said that no injuries were reported in the incident.
The six-kilometre Janhikuda-Satpada route is an important water connection for communities around Chilika. The route is used by residents travelling between the two sides of the lagoon, including people from Krushna Prasad block in Puri district. The boat involved in the incident was also carrying about 20 motorcycles, indicating that the service supports both passenger and local transport needs.
Residents told the Times of India that such incidents are not uncommon on the route. Their concerns include the condition and reliability of boats operating across the lagoon, as well as the navigability of the channel used by the vessels.
The Chilika Development Authority had earlier dredged a navigation channel for boats operating between Janhikuda and Satapada. Locals, however, alleged that siltation has reduced the channel’s navigability since then and increased the risks faced by passengers. The report does not specify when the channel was last dredged or whether a fresh maintenance assessment has been ordered.
The route remains particularly significant because there is no bridge connecting Janhikuda and Satapada. Local leader Subash Jena said people from more than 90 villages in Krushna Prasad block depend on the water route and are forced to undertake risky journeys across the lagoon. Jena has been leading a campaign seeking construction of a bridge over Chilika and said the demand has remained unresolved despite government assurances.
The latest incident ended without injuries, but it has again brought attention to the dependence of several communities on a boat service where a mechanical failure can leave passengers stranded far from shore. No further official action or timeline regarding the boat service, channel maintenance or bridge demand was stated in the report.
