A gripping turn of events unfolded in Odisha as the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, found himself in a perilous situation during the 11th phase of the ‘Sagar Parikrama’ program. The minister’s boat got entangled in the mysterious waters of Chilika lake, leaving him and his convoy stranded near the Nalabana bird sanctuary for an agonizing two hours.
Initially suspected to be ensnared in fishermen’s nets, Rupala later revealed a shocking twist – the boat had lost its way in the vast blue lagoon. Darkness descended, adding to the drama as the boat’s helmsman, unfamiliar with the route, grappled with navigation challenges.
Swift action from the administration dispatched another vessel from Satapada to rescue the beleaguered minister. Despite the harrowing experience, Rupala pressed on with his mission to engage with fishermen as part of the ‘Sagar Parikrama’ initiative.
The incident forced the abrupt cancellation of a scheduled program near Krushnaprasad area in Puri district, casting a shadow over the minister’s ambitious plans. Earlier in the day, Rupala and Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had launched the program at Gopalpur harbour in Ganjam district.
Undeterred, the duo is now set to lay the foundation for a groundbreaking project aimed at the modernization and upgradation of Paradeep fishing harbour. The high-stakes escapade in Chilika lake has added an unexpected chapter to the minister’s odyssey in Odisha.
