Palghar, Maharashtra: A shocking lapse in safety measures has come to light at Chinchani Beach, one of Palghar district’s popular tourist destinations. Large numbers of tourists visit the beach, especially during mornings and evenings, eager to enjoy the scenic shoreline and boat rides.
However, a grave concern has emerged regarding the complete disregard for essential safety practices by speed boat operators ferrying visitors into the sea.
Despite the inherent risks of water-based activities, operators at Chinchani Beach routinely fail to provide life jackets to tourists before embarking on sea tours. Alarmingly, even minors are being taken aboard these speed boats without any safety gear or prior warnings.
Additionally, no informational boards or cautionary notices are displayed at the beach, further heightening the risk of accidents. The absence of life guards and the lack of supervision over the activities of speed boat operators reflect a disturbing apathy towards tourist safety.
During weekends and holidays, the number of tourists swells considerably, with crowds flocking to the beach from the early hours of the day. The situation is made worse by the fact that in several cases, local residents themselves offer boat rides to visitors without any official licenses, safety equipment, or precautionary arrangements.
Palghar District Superintendent of Police, Balasaheb Patil stated, “To date, we have not recorded any accidents of this kind in Palghar district. While local boats typically operate within a 100-meter radius, extending to 1 kilometer in areas of clear and shallow waters, the matter of operating permissions requires verification. We will check our records to confirm if No Objection Certificates (NOCs) were granted and will also coordinate with the marine safety authorities for necessary measures.”
