Madhya Pradesh Govt orders judicial inquiry into Jabalpur Bargi dam cruise tragedy that killed 13

The Madhya Pradesh government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the Bargi Dam cruise boat tragedy in Jabalpur that claimed 13 lives on April 30. A one-member judicial commission headed by retired High Court judge Justice Sanjay Dwivedi has been constituted to investigate the incident. The state government has directed the commission to submit its report within three months from the date of notification.

The cruise boat, operated under the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department, capsized in the Bargi Dam reservoir during strong winds and stormy weather conditions. A total of 41 people were on board at the time of the accident. While 28 passengers were rescued, 13 people, including eight women, four children, and one man, died in the incident. Officials said the rescue operation continued for nearly 60 hours before all bodies were recovered.

According to the government notification, the commission has been asked to examine five major aspects related to the tragedy. These include identifying the causes of the accident and fixing responsibility, reviewing the adequacy of rescue and relief operations, auditing boats and water sports activities operating across the state, framing a uniform Standard Operating Procedure for cruises and boats, and recommending the formation of Quick Response Teams at water tourism locations.

The commission will also examine whether safety certification systems were properly followed under the Inland Vessels Act, 2021, and the National Disaster Management Authority’s Boat Safety Guidelines, 2017. Authorities said the inquiry would assess the larger safety framework governing water transport, boating, and tourism activities in Madhya Pradesh beyond the Bargi Dam incident itself.

Following the tragedy, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited the accident site and met families of the victims. The state government announced ex gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of those killed. Administrative action was also initiated against several officials and staff members connected to the cruise operation, while a local court later directed registration of an FIR against the cruise pilot and other staff members in connection with the incident.