Sourav Ganguly’s Brother and Sister-in-law Survive Major Boat Mishap in Puri
- bySagar
- 26 May, 2025

In a terrifying incident off the coast of Puri, former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly’s elder brother Snehasish Ganguly and his wife Arpita narrowly escaped a serious accident when their speedboat capsized in the middle of the sea. The mishap, which took place near Hotel Sonar Bangla, was caused by sudden high tides that overturned the boat. Thanks to the quick response from local lifeguards, all four passengers on board were safely rescued, preventing a potential tragedy.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on Saturday evening near the popular Lighthouse area, a hub for water sports activities. Snehasish and Arpita were enjoying a boat ride along with other tourists when a strong wave hit their vessel, causing it to lose balance and flip over. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with people screaming for help as the boat capsized.
VIDEO | Puri, Odisha: Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President and brother of former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly, Snehasish Ganguly, and his wife Arpita Ganguly were safely rescued after they encountered a horror as their speedboat capsized off Puri coast.… pic.twitter.com/rWCOB4bgYm
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 26, 2025
Arpita Ganguly, visibly shaken, told PTI, “By God’s grace, we’re alive. I’m still in shock. Such incidents shouldn’t happen. There needs to be stricter regulation and better safety arrangements for water sports.” She also stated that she would be writing to the Puri SP and Odisha’s Chief Minister about the negligence that led to the accident.
Tourists and witnesses blamed the private water sports operator for the mishap, citing inexperienced staff and a lack of adequate safety protocols. “We were assured that the sea was safe and conditions were favorable, but the operator clearly prioritized profit over people’s safety,” said one survivor.
Another tourist echoed this sentiment, saying, “This was sheer negligence. The administration must take strict action. It’s fortunate that lifeguards acted swiftly, or this could have ended in disaster.”
Snehasish Ganguly, a former left-handed batsman, represented Bengal in first-class cricket for nearly a decade. He played 59 Ranji Trophy matches, scoring 2,534 runs and taking two wickets. He currently serves as the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).
This incident has once again raised questions about the safety standards in India’s water tourism sector and the need for stringent oversight to ensure such potentially fatal accidents do not recur.