Puri: Former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly’s elder brother, Snehasish Ganguly, who also serves as the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), and his wife Arpita, had a narrow escape when their speedboat capsized in the Puri sea on Saturday, May 24, 2025.
The incident occurred in front of the Lighthouse on Puri sea beach. The couple was enjoying a speedboat ride when, according to Arpita Ganguly, a substantial wave caused the boat to overturn, trapping them and other passengers briefly underwater.
Fortunately, quick-thinking lifeguards immediately launched a rescue operation, bringing all individuals to safety. Arpita Ganguly recounted the terrifying experience, emphasizing the critical role of the lifeguards in saving their lives.
“We were saved by the grace of God. I am still in trauma. This should not happen, and water sports in the sea must be properly regulated,” she stated in a video message.
She further elaborated that the boat’s relatively low passenger weight likely contributed to its instability against the rough sea conditions. Despite raising concerns about safety due to the high tide and choppy waters, the operators had assured them it was safe to proceed.
Local eyewitnesses corroborated that the speedboat lost balance after being struck by a large wave and capsized in deep water. Concerns have been raised by locals regarding the professionalism of the operators, alleging that the speedboat was run by untrained staff from a private adventure company.
An eyewitness claimed, “The crew lacked proper skills to handle high tides and the company ignored essential safety protocols mandated for such activities.”
Arpita Ganguly has called for stricter government oversight and regulation of water sports in the region, even suggesting a potential ban on such activities. She intends to address her concerns in writing to the Puri Superintendent of Police and the Chief Minister of Odisha upon her return to Kolkata.
Relevant Regulations and Concerns:
The Odisha Water Sports Guidelines, 2018, outline various safety protocols for water sports activities in the state’s coastal areas and water bodies.
These guidelines mandate that operators obtain proper registration, insure passengers and crew (not below Rs. 5.00 Lakh per passenger), and display the carrying capacity of the boat.
They also stipulate that water sports activities should only be carried out in settled weather conditions and daylight, and operators must ensure the mandatory wearing of life jackets by all passengers.
The guidelines further require operators to have an Indian Registrar of Shipping (IRS) certified hull for mechanized vessels.
However, instances of illegal water sports operations and disregard for safety protocols have been reported in Puri previously, highlighting a potential gap in enforcement or adherence to these regulations.
This incident underscores the ongoing need for rigorous enforcement of safety guidelines and proper training for water sports operators to ensure the safety of tourists in popular destinations like Puri.