Assam Water Transport Authority to become full-fledged, finally

 WTA Chairman: Thrust on reopening Crew Training Centre

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: After almost three years of the 'Assam Inland Water Transport Regulatory Authority Act– 2018', the Authority became "full-fledged" on Monday (October 25, 2021).

The Authority to be headed by a Chairman will also comprise two other members.

The development took place following the tragic incident at Neematighat (in Jorhat district) on

September 8, 2021. Three persons were killed in the head-on collision between two ferries.

The Chairman of the newly appointed three-member panel will be Vibekananda Phookan. The State government extended the appointment letter to Phookan on September 1, 2021. On Monday, two Members joined the panel: They are C.K. Bhuyan and Prabir Kumar Das. With the joining of both the Members, the Authority has become full-fledged.

Talking to The Sentinel, the 'Assam Inland Water Transport Regulatory Authority Chairman Vibekananda Phookan said, "It has been observed that the 'Crew Training Centre 'at the Guwahati Fancy Bazar Ghat was non-operational during the last few years. So our thrust now is on the re-opening of the 'Crew Training Centre'.

Phookan added, "After the reopening of this Crew training center, the crew and other members of government and private vessels will be trained in a phased manner."

The Authority will "promote the safe, efficient, reliable and environmentally sound inland water transport and terminal services for the benefits of ferry users, freight consigners and water tourism in the State". After its passage in the State Assembly and Governor's assent on November 15, 2018, the 'Assam Inland Water Transport Regulatory Authority Act-2018' got notified in the Assam Gazette on December 10, 2018.

Also Read: Crew Training Centre of Inland Water Transport (IWT) lying inoperative

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