CM Suvendu Adhikari pledges tighter disaster management after Sundarbans trawler capsizing

On Sunday, July 26, 2026, West Bengal’s chief minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the families of fishermen whose trawler went down off the Sundarbans earlier this month. The boat, which had left Purba Medinipur on July 8, lost contact and was only found by the Coastal Guard on July 14, after a frantic search.

Eleven crew members were recovered dead, while four are still missing. Most of the men hailed from Digha, Nadia, Howrah and East Medinipur, with a few from neighboring Odisha. The tragedy sent shockwaves through the fishing community and prompted immediate relief from the centre.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a ₹2 lakh ex‑gratia for each bereaved family from the National Relief Fund. Following that, CM Adhikari stepped in with a larger ₹5 lakh payment and, unusually, offered a civic‑volunteer position to one eligible family member – a gesture meant to provide both financial and occupational support.

During the meeting, the chief minister was candid about past lapses. “Many such incidents happened before, and the government turned a blind eye. This time we are taking responsibility,” he said, his voice tinged with both sorrow and resolve.

To prevent a repeat, Adhikari announced several concrete steps. He ordered the rapid appointment of capable police officials to the coastal stations, promising they will be equipped with modern communication tools. Moreover, a 50‑member Quick Response Team will be formed under the disaster‑management department, focusing on Digha and nearby coastlines to ensure swift action whenever emergencies arise.

The minister’s promises come at a time when the fragile coastal ecosystem faces increasing threats, and families of the lost fishermen watch closely, hoping the new measures will translate into real safety on the waters.