{
  "id": 783554,
  "title": "Severe safety lapses at Chandigarh’s Sukhna Lake, finds audit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/severe-safety-lapses-at-chandigarhs-sukhna-lake-finds-audit",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-13T16:00:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/chandigarh-sukhna-lake-boating-safety-audit-life-jacket-shortage-citco-10832018/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent audit of Chandigarh's Sukhna Lake has uncovered severe safety lapses, revealing that the lake's 145 boats are inadequately equipped with only 225 life jackets, despite 488 being required. CITCO, the governing body, has been criticized for their \"casual and lackadaisical\" approach to life jacket specifications, purchase, and maintenance. The inspection report, obtained by activist R K Garg, warns that this negligence could pose a danger to visitors. The report highlights the need for an expert body approved by the Government of India to oversee life jacket standards. The Sukhna Lake sees approximately 90,000 visitors on weekdays and 15,000 on weekends, making the safety concerns particularly pressing. The audit also revealed that CITCO has struggled with a shortage of life jackets since 2012, with multiple unsuccessful attempts at procurement. Despite the issue persisting, CITCO only procured 75 life jackets in December 2022, far below the necessary 500.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Sukhna Lake has 145 boats with only 225 life jackets required.",
    "CITCO criticized for casual approach to life jacket specifications.",
    "Expert body needed to oversee life jacket standards."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}