Accoland guilty of safety violations

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, July 16: Accoland, the largest water themed park in the Northeast, has been found guilty of several safety violations, posing danger to hundreds of visitors who throng the amusement facility every day from across the region and outside.

Taking cognizance of an inquiry which pointed to lapses on the part of Accoland authorities, the Kamrup metropolitan administration has ordered suspension of water sports in the park till they are rectified.

The administration has ordered an inquiry by the Azara circle officer after a youth from Ambari area in the city died in the swimming pool of the park on July 12 last. The cause of death has not been revealed, but officials said it was not “tural.”

During inspection, the circle officer found that the lifeguards deployed at the park have not undergone any formal training.

The water in some pools was contamited with bacteria, while the park’s trade license issued by the Kahikuchi Gaon Panchayat expired more than a year back in June, 2014, an official release from the district administration said.

The park authorities failed to furnish fitness certificates of the equipment in the facility, their annual maintence certificates and fire safety certificate.

The district administration has given the park authorities seven days’ time to rectify the lapses. “Till then, water sports in the park will remain suspended. The DCP (west) has been asked to ensure than the administration’s order is implemented,” the release stated.

Meanwhile, Accoland authorities late on Thursday evening released an advertisement in TV channels stating that the park will remain closed for three days “on account of maintence.”