Assam: Thick Fog Disrupts Jorhat-Majuli Ferry Services, Commuters Stranded

JORHAT: Dense fog enveloped the Brahmaputra River on Friday, severely disrupting the passenger ferry service between Jorhat and Majuli. Officials from the Inland Water Transport (IWT) department confirmed that poor visibility led to significant rescheduling of ferry operations.

The first ferry, scheduled to leave Nimatighat in Jorhat at 7:30 am, was delayed until 9:30 am. Similarly, the 8:30 am service was rescheduled to 9:35 am, leaving many passengers stranded. 

The fog was so dense that visibility dropped to less than 5 meters. "Passengers waiting on the docks were pressuring us to sail, but it was risky to navigate. Despite pressure from passengers, we couldn't risk operating the ferries under such dangerous conditions. Safety is our primary concern. We could have faced serious accidents if we proceeded," said an IWT official.

The delays had a ripple effect, particularly on government employees and educational staff who rely on ferries for their daily commute. "I will be late to school due to the delay in the ferry. This problem occurs frequently during the winter season, especially in Dec and Jan. It disrupts our schedules," said a school teacher waiting at the dock. 

Ankur Pran Gogoi, a government employee and regular commuter on the 7:30 am ferry, expressed his frustration: "I was supposed to be at the office by 9 am, but the ferry delay means I'll be late. It's frustrating because we rely solely on this service."

Ferry transport remains the only mode of connectivity between Jorhat and Majuli, highlighting the need for solutions to mitigate such disruptions during the foggy winter months.

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