Rajshahi, Aug 20 (V7N) – The banks of the Padma River, regarded as one of Rajshahi’s most appealing tourist spots, attract thousands of visitors daily during peak season. Many families and groups of friends board boats for leisurely rides, but doing so without life jackets, especially in the river’s turbulent waters, poses a serious threat to life, local residents caution.
 
Historically, the river has seen a tragic parade of deaths and drownings linked to boat accidents. Although medium- and large-sized tourist boats may carry life jackets, their use remains minimal. Local boatmen often venture out with more passengers than capacity would allow, further increasing risk. In some cases, boats carried dozens of passengers with only two or three life jackets available. A tourist police officer acknowledged this noncompliance but noted that their ability to enforce safety regulations is limited.
 
Boats frequently anchor at informal tour points outside the officially restricted T-dike zone—especially near Bulnapur—where authorities have imposed entry bans due to rising water levels. These spots lack essential safety equipment and oversight. Locals remarked on how the closure of designated areas has led to an influx of unfit boats into these temporary docking zones.
 
The Padma has witnessed several severe accidents in recent years. In September 2024, a boat sank carrying four laborers who were later found dead. In 2022, two consecutive boat accidents near Talaimari point led to multiple missing persons; another tragedy in November 2022 claimed two women. In March 2020, over 40 passengers aboard two boats were taking a bride across the river when both vessels capsized. An investigation revealed about 30–35 people remained missing afterward. In September that same year, a separate accident resulted in the disappearance of two university students; their bodies were recovered a week later. In May 2017, five people drowned near Shrirampur during stormy weather.
 
Locals say that despite media attention following such incidents and promises of improved safety, the optimistic sheen quickly fades, and risky practices continue unaddressed. Until preventive measures become enforced—most critically, requiring life jackets for all passengers—tourists remain exposed to lethal danger on the river.
 
END/MRA/SMA/