Concerned over frequent cases of drowning along the right embankment of Mahanadi river near here, Cuttack district collector N C Mishra today ordered an administrative enquiry to ascertain the causes of such mishaps and how to check them.
The move came in the wake of the death of four Ravenshaw University students, who drowned near the Jobra Barrage yesterday while bathing.
Nearly 50 cases of drowning was reported during the last five years along the embankment from Chahata Ghat to Jobra Barrage.
"A three-member committee would find out the circumstances for which such mishaps are occurring repeatedly in these areas and suggest measures to arrest recurrence of these unfortunate incidents," Mishra said.
The Committee has also been asked to find out as to how the riverside inhabitants would be affected if bathing is banned at the potentially dangerous locations like near barrages and spurs.
Headed by Cuttack ADM, the committee comprises the executive engineers of Jobra Barrage Division and Mahanadi (south) irrigation division. The Committee has been asked to submit its report within two weeks, the district collector said.
