Kendrapara: As many as 100 passengers of two boats were stranded in the river Mahanadi following technical glitches in the engines of the boats in Mahakalapada of Kendrapara district on Tuesday.
Two boats carrying passengers travelled towards Paradip from Bahakud while the engines developed technical errors following the boats stopped in the middle of the river.
The engine of the boats failed following a mechanical glitch which left the passengers in panic till they were rescued safely.
They experienced a harrowing time in the river as they were stranded for around three hours. Local fishermen swung into action and rescued the passengers.
The boats also carried vehicles like bikes, scooters, bicycles along with passengers.
Passengers alleged that no administrative officials came to their rescue even as they got stuck in the river for hours. The fishermen rescued them with the small fishing boats in phases.
Residents from Bahakud and Musadia in Kendrapara district depend on the boat to cross the river for their daily work.
