In recent times we have witnessed a number of unfortunate deaths of tourists and locals in the absence of adequate safety norms. Just a few months ago, 141 valuable lives were lost when a hanging bridge over the river Morbi in Gujarat collapsed as the firm entrusted with the responsibility for the maintenance of the bridge allowed an excessive number of people on it to make quick financial gains. Similar to the Morbi tragedy, in Kerala a double-decker tourist boat capsized due to overcrowding causing 22 deaths including 15 children. Neither the bridge, nor the boat had necessary approval from the authorities. While the bridge on Morbi was opened even before obtaining a fit certificate for pedestrian movement, in Kerala a fishing boat turned into a tourist boat overnight and without going through the requisite fitness test, the vessel started ferrying tourists under the nose of authorities. These are acts of criminal negligence, but such acts often go unnoticed or are simply ignored and more often than not the culprits go scot-free. For instance, Kerala witnessed a similar boat tragedy in 2009 at Thekkady in which 45 people died. It took the authorities 10 years to file the charge-sheet against the offenders and the trial is yet to begin. Such inexplicable delays and apathy of those in authority are the reasons behind the continuance of such illegal practices.
The tragedies could have been avoided if the authorities attached due importance to safety measures. India has always remained a favourite tourist destination as the country offers an array of choices to tourists. Starting from snow-clad mountains to the sea, historical sites like forts, temples, mausoleums, to adventure tourism, India has the ability to satisfy everyone. With its rich heritage and tradition, tourism in India is a large and booming industry in the country. Disasters like these not only have a high social cost, but also has a devastating effect on the future earnings of the tourism industry. The fact that these tragedies happen on regular intervals point towards a structural problem. These structural gaps need to be identified and dealt with urgently to prevent more mishaps.
Thus, for the tourism industry to flourish in India, first and foremost all safety rules should be strictly enforced. No traveller would want to venture to a place where safety norms have often been compromised. Law making and its implementations are two distinct responsibilities. Laws are meant to be implemented and the country’s record is relatively very poor in this regard. If the authorities had given adequate focus on proper implementation of laws meant for the security of tourists and local visitors, both tragedies mentioned above could have been averted. However, we have always indulged in knee-jerk reactions such as the Kerala government’s decision to order a judicial enquiry on the recent boat tragedy. It is a futile exercise as most recommendations of many such commissions are forgotten or yet to be implemented. No compromises should be made in establishing and enforcing safety regulations, lest more precious lives are put in grave danger and the tourism industry witness a substantial decline in India.
