Bhandara Superintendent of Police Lohit Matani said the boat carrying the journalists was filled to capacity during the opening ceremonies.
“At one point, some of the journalists apparently moved to the side of the boat, causing it to tilt, and many of the occupants fell into the water. However, an NDRF team stationed nearby quickly rushed there and rescued them all,” Matani said.
He SP also said that, contrary to earlier reports that the boat had broken into three pieces, the small boat did not suffer any damage as it later regained its balance and was brought ashore, as were the journalists, thus avoiding a possible tragedy.
Earlier, Shinde launched the first phase of the Rs 102-crore water tourism project on the Wainganga river in the presence of local MP Narendra Bhondekar, collector Yogesh Kumbhekar, Sarang Kulkarni and Dinesh Kamble of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, and the Gosikhurd dam officials Rajesh Dhumne and R.G. Patil.
Shinde himself sat at the helm of the ship and sailed for some time, as well as taking part in a tree planting campaign to mark the occasion.
“I also experienced sailing. This water sports project will put Bhandara on the tourism map of the country, spur development of the region and ensure many new employment opportunities for the locals,” CM Shinde said.
He added that Maharashtra has a coastline of 720 kilometers and there is huge potential for similar projects related to water sports in the state.
Last month, during a visit to Bhandara, the CM approved the water tourism project worth Rs 102 crore, of which Rs 43 crore would be shared by the Water Resources Department and the rest by the MTDC.
At the same time, around 450 acres of land have been allotted near the banks of the river to set up the entire water tourism project that will offer various options to both tourists and water sports enthusiasts.
“At one point, some of the journalists apparently moved to the side of the boat, causing it to tilt, and many of the occupants fell into the water. However, an NDRF team stationed nearby quickly rushed there and rescued them all,” Matani said.
He SP also said that, contrary to earlier reports that the boat had broken into three pieces, the small boat did not suffer any damage as it later regained its balance and was brought ashore, as were the journalists, thus avoiding a possible tragedy.
Earlier, Shinde launched the first phase of the Rs 102-crore water tourism project on the Wainganga river in the presence of local MP Narendra Bhondekar, collector Yogesh Kumbhekar, Sarang Kulkarni and Dinesh Kamble of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, and the Gosikhurd dam officials Rajesh Dhumne and R.G. Patil.
Shinde himself sat at the helm of the ship and sailed for some time, as well as taking part in a tree planting campaign to mark the occasion.
“I also experienced sailing. This water sports project will put Bhandara on the tourism map of the country, spur development of the region and ensure many new employment opportunities for the locals,” CM Shinde said.
He added that Maharashtra has a coastline of 720 kilometers and there is huge potential for similar projects related to water sports in the state.
Last month, during a visit to Bhandara, the CM approved the water tourism project worth Rs 102 crore, of which Rs 43 crore would be shared by the Water Resources Department and the rest by the MTDC.
At the same time, around 450 acres of land have been allotted near the banks of the river to set up the entire water tourism project that will offer various options to both tourists and water sports enthusiasts.
