He was given CPR and later taken to the hospital in an ambulance
He was later taken to a hospital in a 108 ambulance, where his condition was reported to be stable. Boating operations at Nalsarovar were suspended in 2024 after the Harni lake tragedy in Vadodara, where a boat capsized, killing 14 people, including 12 schoolchildren. A local boatman said participants in Thursday’s exercise were required to swim 100 metres within three minutes.
Because their livelihoods depend on clearing the test, he said some weaker swimmers pushed themselves beyond their limits. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Ahmedabad | Silver Rate in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Petrol Price in Ahmedabad | Diesel Price in Ahmedabad | CNG Price in Ahmedabad | LPG Price in Ahmedabad Stay updated with the latest Ahmedabad news.
The boatman fell into the water during the swimming test, according to people present at the site. Local boatmen said Nalsarovar’s conditions differ from those at Harni lake, noting that much of the wetland is shallow, with water levels around four feet in several areas. They said they had been boating there for years and that the exercise should not remain suspended indefinitely. A forest department officer, however, said the collapse was linked to the boatman’s blood pressure condition. He said some boatmen had opposed the training from the start and were trying to turn the matter into a bigger issue. The officer also said several participants failed the test and alleged the medical episode was misrepresented. Local stakeholders claimed the practical tests were too demanding for some boatmen and said many had little experience with such exercises.
Another boatman pulled him out and administered CPR before calling emergency services. The news caused anxiety among boatmen who have been waiting for nearly two years for boating to restart at Nalsarovar, a major wetland tourist destination and source of livelihood for locals. It prompted authorities to tighten safety norms and halt boating at several locations across Gujarat. The boatman who collapsed became unwell near the end of the exercise. The boatmen have demanded that the administration review the training process and ensure adequate safety measures before conducting further tests. Download the TOI App.
Ahmedabad: A boatman collapsed at Nalsarovar on Thursday during training ahead of the proposed resumption of boating at the wetland, raising safety concerns among local boatmen.