A fun-filled water sports adventure at Odisha’s iconic Puri Beach turned into a harrowing ordeal for Snehasish Ganguly, the elder brother of former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, and his wife, Arpita. The couple, along with a small group of tourists, narrowly escaped disaster when their speedboat capsized in the turbulent waters of the Bay of Bengal. The incident, which unfolded near the Lighthouse area, has sparked a broader conversation about safety regulations for water sports in one of India’s most popular coastal destinations. This blog delves into the details of the incident, the response from authorities, and the broader implications for tourism and safety in Puri.
The Incident: A Wave of Terror
Puri, renowned for its sacred Jagannath Temple and vibrant beachfront, attracts millions of visitors annually, many of whom flock to its shores for adventure activities like speedboat rides and jet-skiing. On Saturday evening, Snehasish and Arpita Ganguly, on holiday from Kolkata, joined a group of tourists for what was meant to be an exhilarating speedboat ride. The boat, operated by Sky Drive Adventure and Water Sports, a private company, was carrying only three to four passengers—far below its capacity of ten. This decision, later attributed to the operators’ “greed for money,” would prove nearly catastrophic.
According to Arpita Ganguly, the sea was visibly rough, with high tides signaling potential danger. Despite expressing concerns about the conditions, the couple was reassured by the operators that the ride was safe. However, just 20 meters into the sea, near the stretch opposite Hotel Sonar Bangla, a massive wave—described by Arpita as “almost ten storeys high”—struck the vessel. The lightweight boat, unbalanced due to its low passenger count, lost stability and capsized, throwing all aboard into the churning waters. Video footage that surfaced on May 26 captured the chaotic scene: the overturned boat bobbing in the rough sea as lifeguards scrambled to rescue the stranded tourists using rubber floats.
“I am still in trauma. We were saved by the grace of God,” Arpita said in a video message, her voice reflecting the shock of the ordeal. “If the lifeguards had not come, we would not have been saved.” The swift response of the lifeguards, deployed along Puri Beach, ensured that all passengers, including Snehasish and Arpita, were brought to safety unharmed. However, the incident left a lasting impact, prompting Arpita to demand immediate action against the operators and a reevaluation of water sports activities in Puri.
A Call for Accountability
Arpita Ganguly’s account of the incident points to serious lapses in safety protocols. She alleged that the boat’s instability was a direct result of the operators’ decision to send it out with fewer passengers than its capacity, prioritizing profit over safety. “The sea was already very rough. There was a capacity of 10 people on the boat, but they allowed only three to four people on board,” she told reporters. When she requested to see the operators’ license after the rescue, they reportedly failed to produce it, further fueling suspicions of negligence.
Eyewitnesses and locals corroborated these concerns, claiming that the speedboat was manned by untrained staff lacking the skills to navigate high tides. Some alleged that Sky Drive Adventure and Water Sports was operating without the requisite permissions from the Puri district administration, despite having a “No Objection Certificate” from the Divisional Forest Officer, District Tourism Officer, and Odisha Coastal Zone Management Authority. These conflicting claims have intensified scrutiny of the company’s operations and raised questions about the oversight of water sports in Puri.
Arpita’s response was resolute. “This should not happen, and water sports in the sea must be properly regulated,” she stated, vowing to write to the Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi upon her return to Kolkata. She went further, calling for a complete ban on water sports at Puri Beach, citing its notoriously rough seas. “Puri Beach has a very rough sea. Authorities should ban these sports here,” she urged, emphasizing the need to protect tourists from similar dangers.
The Official Response: An Inquiry Launched
The incident, which came to light on May 26 after viral videos circulated on social media, prompted swift action from the Puri district administration. District Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain ordered an inquiry to investigate the circumstances leading to the mishap, with a focus on whether the operator adhered to safety protocols. “If lapses are found, action will be taken,” Swain told reporters, signaling a commitment to accountability. Puri SP Vinit Agarwal confirmed that while the Ganguly couple did not file a formal complaint, the police are verifying the incident and may register a case if evidence of negligence is found.
The inquiry will likely examine several critical issues: the operator’s licensing and permissions, the training and qualifications of the crew, and the decision to allow the boat to venture into rough seas despite warnings from passengers and impending adverse weather. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecasted heavy rainfall in coastal Odisha, including Puri, due to a low-pressure area forming over the Bay of Bengal. The IMD’s advisory, issued for May 26–30, predicted moderate to heavy rainfall and wind speeds exceeding 45 km/h, with warnings for fishermen to avoid deep-sea ventures. These conditions underscore the recklessness of sending a lightly loaded speedboat into turbulent waters.
Puri’s Tourism Boom and Safety Challenges
Puri Beach, nestled along Odisha’s coastline, is a cornerstone of the state’s tourism industry. The city’s spiritual significance, centered around the 12th-century Jagannath Temple, draws lakhs of devotees annually, many of whom combine their pilgrimages with beach activities. Water sports, including speedboat rides, jet-skiing, and banana boating, have surged in popularity, offering thrill-seekers an adrenaline-pumping complement to Puri’s cultural attractions. However, the incident involving the Ganguly couple highlights the darker side of this tourism boom: inadequate regulation and safety oversight.
Official data paints a sobering picture. In a written reply to the Odisha State Assembly in March 2025, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi revealed that Puri and other Odisha beaches reported 47 drowning cases over the past five years. The rough seas, strong currents, and unpredictable tides of the Bay of Bengal make Puri Beach a challenging environment for water sports, particularly during the monsoon season. The IMD’s forecast of heavy rainfall in districts like Puri, Ganjam, Gajapati, and Khurdah from May 27–30 further underscores the need for stringent safety measures.
Locals have long raised concerns about the operations of private adventure companies. Eyewitnesses to the May 24 incident alleged that Sky Drive Adventure and Water Sports ignored essential safety protocols, such as ensuring adequate passenger weight to stabilize the boat and conducting thorough weather checks. The claim that the company operated without proper permissions, if substantiated, could point to systemic gaps in the regulation of Puri’s water sports industry. These issues are not unique to Puri; coastal tourism hubs across India, from Goa to Kovalam, face similar challenges in balancing adventure tourism with safety.
The Human Story: Trauma and Resilience
For Snehasish and Arpita Ganguly, the incident was a brush with mortality. Snehasish, the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and a prominent figure in Kolkata’s sports community, was visibly shaken. “I’m still in trauma… never faced something like this,” he said, echoing his wife’s sentiments. The couple’s ordeal resonates with anyone who has experienced the sudden shift from leisure to life-threatening danger. Their gratitude for the lifeguards’ prompt action underscores the critical role of trained personnel in preventing tragedies.
The incident also highlights the emotional toll of such experiences. Arpita’s determination to advocate for change, despite her trauma, reflects a broader commitment to ensuring that no other tourist faces a similar fate. Her call for a ban on water sports at Puri Beach, while controversial, stems from a deeply personal experience and a desire to protect others. The Gangulys have also informed the West Bengal administration about the incident, suggesting a cross-state effort to address safety concerns in Puri.
Broader Implications: Tourism, Safety, and Regulation
The capsizing of the speedboat raises critical questions about the future of adventure tourism in Puri. The city’s beaches are a vital economic driver, supporting local businesses, hotels, and tour operators. However, incidents like this threaten to erode public confidence in Puri as a safe destination. Arpita’s call for a ban on water sports may be seen as extreme by some, particularly those whose livelihoods depend on tourism, but it underscores the urgency of reform. Stricter regulations, mandatory training for operators, and regular safety audits could restore trust while preserving Puri’s appeal as a adventure destination.
The incident also coincides with broader environmental challenges in Odisha. The IMD’s warning of heavy rainfall and strong winds, linked to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, highlights the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather. Unlike previous years, when early monsoon onsets stalled, the 2025 season has brought sustained rainfall, increasing risks for coastal activities. Authorities must integrate weather forecasts into tourism regulations, ensuring that water sports are suspended during high-risk periods.
A Path Forward: Balancing Adventure and Safety
As Puri’s district administration investigates the incident, the focus must be on accountability and prevention. The inquiry ordered by District Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain is a step in the right direction, but its findings must lead to tangible reforms. These could include:
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Mandatory Licensing and Training: All water sports operators should be required to obtain licenses from the Odisha Coastal Zone Management Authority and demonstrate that their staff are trained to handle rough seas and emergencies.
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Weather-Based Restrictions: Water sports activities should be suspended during periods of adverse weather, with clear guidelines tied to IMD forecasts.
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Passenger Load Regulations: Operators must adhere to minimum and maximum passenger capacities to ensure boat stability, with strict penalties for violations.
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Enhanced Lifeguard Presence: The swift response of lifeguards in this incident highlights their importance. Increasing their numbers and equipping them with advanced rescue tools could save more lives.
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Public Awareness Campaigns: Tourists should be informed of the risks associated with water sports, particularly during the monsoon season, through signage and pre-ride briefings.
For Snehasish and Arpita Ganguly, the incident was a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of safety in adventure tourism. Their story, amplified by their connection to cricket icon Sourav Ganguly, has brought national attention to Puri’s challenges. As Arpita prepares to write to Odisha’s authorities, her advocacy could catalyze meaningful change, ensuring that Puri Beach remains a place of joy, not jeopardy.
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