Why extra controls matter
Night navigation brings reduced visibility, heavy passenger demand, crowded landing steps, and the possibility of overlapping boat movements. Past festival coverage has described police monitoring, disaster-response teams, restrictions on vessel movement, and requirements for life jackets. These examples show why regulation matters, but the number of teams or exact procedures can differ from year to year.
Know your responsibilities as a passenger
Before boarding, locate a correctly sized life jacket and put it on when instructed. Do not stand up to take photographs while the boat is underway, lean over edges, or move from vessel to vessel. Parents should keep children seated and within reach. If operators appear to disregard safety rules, stay on shore and seek another authorized option.
Essential safety checks
- The vessel is not overcrowded and has adequate flotation equipment.
- Boarding and return points are clear and permitted for the evening.
- The operator knows and follows river-police instructions.
- Passengers have a plan for an aborted trip or early return.
Common question
Will NDRF teams definitely be stationed at every ghat in 2026? No such year-specific deployment should be assumed before official announcements. Prior years demonstrate the type of safety planning that may be required.