Streamline ferry service in Majuli immediately: All Assam Students' Union

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) has demanded the State Government to immediately streamline the ferry services and make them safer for the people of Majuli.

A statement issued by the general secretary of AASU, Sankar Jyoti Baruah on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the ongoing crisis of ferry between Majuli and Nimatighat in Jorhat. The statement stated that thousands of people are stranded at Majuli and Nimatighat as the number of ferries plying on the Brahmaputra has suddenly declined after the recent boat tragedy at Majuli.

"An adequate number of ferries must ply for safe transportation of people of Majuli. Till the bridge between Majuli and Nimatighat is constructed, the State Government must operate an adequate number of ferries," Baruah said.

The State Government recently announced a new set of regulations for passenger vessels on the Brahmaputra and other rivers in the wake of the accident on September 8 in which two people died and another went missing after two boats collided between Nimatighat (Jorhat) and Majuli and one of them went down.

According to the government, the ban on single-engine vessels announced immediately after the accident will stay. But those boats having 'marine' engines - two engines with reverse gear - will be allowed to ply. Boats having marine engines are safer because if one engine fails, the other kicks in. They also have outboard motors and are easier to manoeuvre in difficult conditions.

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