CM Himanta visits Nimatighat, takes stock of safety measures put in place at ghats

MAJULI: In the aftermath of the boat capsize tragedy off Nimatighat in the Brahmaputra which left three dead, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday visited Nimatighat for the second time and inspected the safety measures put in place at the ghats to avert the recurrence of such incidents in future, stated a press release.

Immediately after the boat capsize incident, the State Government announced a set of safety measures as new SOPs for the water vessels to ply between Jorhat and Majuli and elsewhere in the State for the safety of the passengers.

In view of this, Chief Minister Sarma on Wednesday took stock of the new safety measures being put in place by Inland Water Transport and district administrations of both Jorhat and Majuli for the ferry passengers, stated a press release. He also inspected the operating protocols of Ro-Pax plying between Jorhat and Majuli. He said that though IWT has already made the services of two Ro-Pax operational, efforts are on to add more for the convenience of the passengers. He also said that two more vessels MV Raj Lakshmi and MV Digaru would reach Majuli very soon, besides another ship developed by IWT which was on the pipe line.

In view of the passenger demands, the IWT informed the Chief Minister that it found two local boats fit for operation. These two boats having marine engines will be allowed to operate from today. However, it will be made sure that they comply with all safety measures set forth by the government.

Sarma also said that he personally had a talk to Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and requested him for sending two more Ro-Pax vessels to Assam, out of which one will ply between Jorhat and Majuli. He also made it clear that eight local boats with single engine operating system, the services of which have been suspended after the accident, would be fitted with marine engine at the expense of the State Government.

Moreover, it may be noted that for passengers' conveniences, timing of Ro-Pax vessels and boats with marine engine in operation have been re-scheduled and accordingly they will ply three times a day. An App would also be launched for booking of tickets from home by the passengers. Further, two night buses will ply between Jorhat and Majuli via Dibrugarh.

Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, Education Minister Ranuj Pegu, MPs Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and Topon Kumar Gogoi, senior officers of the IWT and district administration were present during the Chief Minister's visit.

Also Read: Now Majuli Ferry Tickets to be Available Via Mobile App, Night Super Service from Majuli Via Lakhimpur: Assam CM

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