UGGSDNS reiterates demand for connecting bridge

Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Sept 30: In the wake of the boat tragedy in the Brahmaputra on September 5, the Uttar Guwahati – Guwahati Sanjogi Dolang Nirman Dabi Samity (UGGSDNS) has become pro-active in the matter of demanding a connecting bridge between the two banks in Guwahati. Addressing media persons in Guwahati on Sunday, the president of the Samity Kukil Barua and general secretary Diganta Bora have alleged that the government has all along been turning a blind eye to towards the needs of the people of Guwahati and North Guwahati in the matter of adequate and safe connectivity between the two banks of river Brahmaputra.

They have alleged that in the wake of the boat tragedy in the Brahmaputra on September 5, the communication between the two banks has become still more complicated.They Samity leaders have said that the roles played by the Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary and local MLA and Minister Himanta Bswa Sarma in this regard are not at all satisfactory

Following the tragedy, Patowary banned the services of Mechanized boats (bhutbhuti) in the Brahmaputra but till date he has not initiated any alternative arrangements for the people who make their way across the river, the duo alleged. On the other hand Sarma promised that three ferries would be introduced from September 12. But the ground reality is that nothing has transpired till now. On account of such lackadaisical approach of the government, beginning with students, business persons, office goers and others, who make it across the river everyday, are facing a harrowing time.

Meanwhile the Samity has demanded that the construction works in respect of connecting bridge between Guwahati and North Guwahati which the people have been demanding since long and which Government has accepted in principle be taken up immediately without further loss of time in public interest.

The Samity leaders have also said that the inquiry into the September 5 boat tragedy by an Additional Chief Secretary, as ordered by the government, will not yield any result. In this context they have referred to the boat tragedy at Medartari in Dhubri district in April 2012 in respect of which the government instituted a similar probe. However, till date no action has been taken on the probe report by the Government, the Samity leaders alleged.

On the other hand the Samity has alleged that the Inland Water Transport department is steeped in deep corruption, irregularities and the like. Accordingly, the leaders have demanded a high-level prove into the functioning of the IWT department, preferably by the CBI.