In the aftermath of the tragic boat incident at Motnath Lake in Harni area, Vadodara, where 12 students and two teachers lost their lives, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) on Saturday terminated the contract of Kotia Projects, the firm responsible for developing and managing the lakefront for recreational purposes.
The boat, which was carrying students and teachers on a picnic, capsized due to overloading and insufficient life jackets provided by the service operator.
Chairperson of VMC's standing committee, Sheetal Mistry confirmed the termination of Kotia Projects' contract and said that the municipal commissioner took this decision due to a breach of conditions.
The firm, under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, was required to pay an annual fee of Rs 3,01,111 to VMC. The premises meanwhile have been sealed, and the lease period, originally for 30 years, has come to an end.
Motnath Lake, spanning 55,164 square metres, saw development works initiated by Kotia Projects in 2017, with completion in 2019. The proposal included provisions for pedal and mechanised boats, a 42-square metre jetty, lifeguards, rescue vessels, and mandatory life jackets for boat riders. However, the tragic incident revealed that many children on board were not wearing life jackets.
The PPP contract, which leased the land to the private contractor for a symbolic sum of Re 1 per annum, included amenities such as a jogging track, children's play area, sitting area, fun rides, amphitheatre, multi-purpose hall, and decorative lighting, with a total investment of Rs 7.43 crore.
Gujarat police have arrested partners in Kotia Projects – Bhimsingh Yadav, Vedprakash Yadav, and Rashmikant Prajapati – along with the firm's manager Shantilal Solanki. Two boat operators, Nayan Gohil and Ankit Vasava, were also detained in connection with the boat capsize.
The FIR emphasised the importance of safety measures, including compulsory life jackets for all sailors and well-equipped life guards, to prevent unforeseen disasters during boat rides. Despite the tragic incident, the Vadodara civic body is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens at recreational zones.
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