STAFF REPORTER
Dispur, Sep 9: Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today visited the boat accident site and its surrounding areas near Nimatighat of Jorhat district and took stock of the present situation and rescue operations by NDRF and SDRF. The Chief Minister monitored the search operation for around 45 minutes from a machine boat. While interacting with media persons after visiting the accident site, the Chief Minister said that the Jorhat District Administration has been directed to register a criminal case on the boat accident. He also said that while three officials of the Inland Water Transport Department were placed under suspension, the government would also institute a high level inquiry into the accident. Moreover, the Chief Minister said that from today, plying of all private ferries would be stopped as they don’t have marine engines. However, if the owners wish to convert the single engine to marine engine, the state government would provide a grant of Rs. 10 lakh with 75% subsidy. He further informed that from now onwards, four IWT ferries would provide service between Kamalabari and Nimatighat and soon two more ferries would be sent to Majuli. Apart from the ferries, two Ro-Pax would also be operationalized, he added. The Chief Minister also said that to ensure uninterrupted service of the Ro-Pax throughout the year, dredging between Kamalabari and Nimatighat would be carried out to create a navigation channel.
The Chief Minister further informed that the Deputy Commissioners of Jorhat and Majuli would reschedule timings of the ferry service and two magistrates, one each from Jorhat and Majuli would monitor timely playing of the ferries. The Govt. would also issue a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) to schedule health check-ups of those working on the boats. Informing about the status of construction of the bridge connecting Jorhat with Majuli, the Chief Minister said that a necessary process is underway and construction will start from November. It would take four years to complete the bridge; he said, adding that a Group of Ministers (GoM) would be formed to review the progress of construction. The Chief Minister also expressed profound grief on the demise of Parimita Das of Kahilipara, Guwahati in the boat accident and said that he would meet her parents and extend all needful support to them from the government. Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Jogen Mohan and Power Minister Bimal Bora, MPs Topon Kumar Gogoi and Pradan Baruah, MLAs Hitendra Nath Goswami, Bhaben Bharali and Renupama Rajkhowa and DGP Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta were also present during the visit of the Chief Minister. Chief Minister Dr. Sarma also visited Jorhat Medical College & Hospital today and met those injured in the boat accident and enquired about their health condition. He asked the doctors to ensure the best treatment for them. The Chief Minister also thanked and expressed deep gratitude to the people who showed exemplary courage and humanitarian zeal in rescuing the passengers of the capsized boat. Chief Minister Dr. Sarma also visited Majuli today and interacted with representatives of AASU, TMPK, AJYCP and other local organizations to have an understanding of their concerns and listened to the issues raised by them. He assured that the government would take all necessary steps to ensure passenger safety and hassle-free movement of ferries between Kamalabari and Nimatighat. The CM said that the government would fix the number of passengers per boat and ensure strict vigilance. He also said that stringent action would be taken if the number of passengers exceeds the limit. Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Jogen Mohan and Power Minister Bimal Bora were also present during the visit of the Chief Minister.
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