100 more lifeguards to be appointed for safety in Odisha’s Puri sea

Chinmayee Dash Published On : Feb 11, 2017 at 1:02 PM Updated On : Feb 11, 2017 at 3:21 PM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Puri, Feb 11

In view of increasing number of casualties in Puri sea, Odisha government has decided to appoint 100 more lifeguards to ensure safety and security of the tourists during sea bath.

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“100 more lifeguards will be appointed to ensure the sea bath safe and secured in Puri,” said Odisha Tourism Secretary Arti Ahuja while reviewing the tourism infrastructure and development at a meeting in Puri yesterday.

Raising concern over the increasing number of deaths in Puri sea, Ahuja directed to launch ‘Public Address System’ at the beach.

Under the system, the tourists will be informed repeatedly about the condition of sea and danger zone so that they will be cautious and the number of casualties will be reduced, she said.

Currently, there are 110 lifeguards appointed by fire service department. The Tourism department for the first time is set to appoint lifeguards for the sea beach. The SP will give a detailed report to the authority about the necessities of the lifeguards. The appointment will be made on the basis of the report, official sources in the department said.

Notably, 26 people drowned in the sea in 2008. The number casualties was 22 in 2009, 25 in 2010, 27 in 2011, 23 in 2012, 24 in 2013, 21 in 2014, 7 in 2015 and 12 in 2016. Total 3 died in the sea in 2017 so far.