Union Minister Parshottam Rupala Rescued After Boat Gets Stuck in Chilika Lake

Union Minister Parshottam Rupalas boat got stuck in Odishas Chilika Lake for two hours due to a navigational error. He was rescued and safely reached his destination.

Bhubaneswar, Jan 7: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Parshottam Rupala had a harrowing experience on Sunday evening when the boat carrying him got stuck in Odisha's Chilika Lake for around two hours. Initially, it was believed that the boat might have gotten entangled in a fishing net, but the minister later clarified that they had simply lost their way in the vast blue lagoon.

Rescue Operation

Upon receiving news of the incident, the administration promptly dispatched another vessel to rescue the stranded minister and his entourage, which included BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra and a few local party leaders. The rescue vessel safely transported them to their intended destination.

Reason Behind the Stranding

The incident occurred as the minister embarked on a journey from Barkul in Khurda district, en route to Satapada in Puri district, traversing the picturesque Chilika Lake. However, near the Nalabana bird sanctuary, the motorized boat encountered difficulties and became stuck for approximately two hours. A security official accompanying the minister's convoy explained that darkness had fallen, and the boatman, unfamiliar with the route, had lost his bearings, leading to the delay in reaching Satapada.

Cancellation of Scheduled Program

Due to the unexpected delay caused by the boat incident, the minister was unable to attend a scheduled program near Krushnaprasad area in Puri district. The event was subsequently canceled at the last moment.

Union Minister's Visit to Odisha

Union Minister Parshottam Rupala is currently visiting Odisha as part of the 11th phase of the Sagar Parikrama program, during which he interacts with fishermen. Earlier in the day, he had launched the program at Gopalpur harbor in Ganjam district. Additionally, he is scheduled to lay the foundation for a project aimed at modernizing and upgrading the Paradip fishing harbor, alongside Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, on Monday.