Goa suspends paragliding across the state after mishap killed tourist from Maharashtra

The order said the Department of Tourism will review all existing registrations issued under the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act,1982, pertaining to paragliding activities throughout the state to ensure compliance with the requisite safety standards.

“All operators engaged in paragliding activities are required to submit the prescribed documentation to the authority. All police officers and persons in charge of police stations within their respective jurisdictions are hereby directed to assist in the enforcement of this order,” the order said.

It added that any person, company, association, firm or any other entity that fails to comply with the order shall be liable to pay a fine of Rs 50,000 and subject to penal action under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The department’s decision to suspend paragliding operations comes after a 27-year-old tourist from Maharashtra and a 26-year-old pilot were killed in a paragliding mishap in North Goa’s Querim last Saturday.

The incident took place on January 18 between 4.30 pm and 5 pm, when Shivani Dabale accompanied by pilot Suman Nepali took off from a cliff at Keri plateau and plunged into a ravine. One of the cables had snapped mid-flight, due to which the duo lost balance, collided with rocks and crashed from a height.

The police have arrested the owner of an adventure sports company for allegedly running paragliding operations without obtaining requisite permissions or a valid license. The tourism department said last week that no permission or approvals had been granted by the department for paragliding activities at the Keri plateau.

Reiterating its commitment to ensuring that all tourism-related activities in the state adhere strictly to safety regulations and licensing norms, the department said that an inquiry will be conducted.