Mahakalapara: A total of 50 persons had a close shave with disaster after the boat they had boarded developed an engine snag Tuesday morning leaving them stranded on the Mahanadi for over three hours in Kendrapara district.
The boat was on its way to Paradip from Bahakud-Musadia ghat. The boat had reached the middle of the river when it developed a mechanical problem and stopped. Initially there was no help forthcoming. After more than three hours fishermen and locals noticed the boat and stranded passengers and rushed to their rescue.
The passengers were accommodated in another boat and brought to the Bahakud-Musadia ghat from where they left for their respective destinations. Passengers alleged that though they remained stranded in the middle of the river for over three hours, there was no help from the administration. They thanked the locals for saving them.
PNN