Elephanta-like accident waiting to happen in Arnala
Locals are forced to travel in ferries without life-saving kits
After a recent tragedy that was averted near Elephanta Island where 78 people were rescued by the Coast Guard, a similar tragedy is waiting to happen at Arnala, Virar. People who travel from Arnala fort village to the main Arnala town or Virar are forced to travel in a ferry without any life-saving kit.
This ferry, prima facie, resembles a scrap boat which might not withstand rough weather as it takes a sea route. Life-saving kits used during emergency situations – such as life rings, life jackets, rubber tubes etc – cannot be seen on the boat, and neither do people ask for it. It thus becomes dangerous during unpredictable rough weather, as was seen in the state on Sunday.
Decent population
Arnala fort village has a strong population of around 4,000-odd residents who travel to Virar or Arnala town for all their basic activities, such as visiting markets. People are seen carrying flammable items like diesel and petrol in this ferry, which can add to the danger for travellers. Even gas cylinders are transported by the locals in this ferry.
No hospitals and no schools
There are no schools or hospitals here in spite of the presence of a decent population. Children, along with patients, travel dangerously using this mode of transport, which is the only one available. Residents said that whenever there is an emergency, like pregnancy or a fracture, they lose time travelling through the troubled waters.
Absence of a jetty
One has to wade through knee-deep waters to reach the ferry and the trouble doesn’t end here, as they have to then climb ladders, which has its first rung at around waist-height. Even when one has to get down from the ferry, he or she is forced to jump into kneedeep water.
No control over crowd
Since there is only one ferry after every 30 minutes, a huge crowd gathers to travel to either side during peak hours. At times, one can see as many as 50-odd people scrambling to board the ferry with an equal number trying to get down. Sometimes, since the ferry is in waist-height waters, a fear of the boat toppling cannot be ruled out.
Due to these reasons, people have been waiting patiently for the development of this particular coastal belt, with basic amenities like new boats with safety kits, a jetty for passenger boats etc being installed.