GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday flagged off four-newly constructed ferry vessels of Inland Water Transport (IWT) Department at Kamalabari ghat in Majuli river island in the state.
Later taking part in the public meeting held at Alimur Mising Gaon, the chief minister hailed the occasion as historic as the new ferry vessels would greatly benefit the commuters of Majuli who would avail the services of new ferry boats to travel between Majuli and Jorhat in less time.
Out of the 4 vessels, one is a 28-metre-long steel catamaran built at a cost of about Rs 2 crore which will carry more than 150 passengers apart from four vehicles and 50 motor bikes at a time. The other three vessels are also constructed keeping an eye on the specific requirements of ferry passengers. The new ferry boats are expected to boost the IWT departmental ferry service while minimizing the people’s dependence on private ferry service. One Roll-on/Roll-off vessel is also slated to be operational from October between Nematighat and Aphalamukh of Majuli which will facilitate movement of eight loaded trucks and 200 passengers in a single trip.
Asserting that Majuil would no longer remain underdeveloped as all the new schemes of both the central and state governments would be implemented in the district, the chief minister said that both sides of Majuli would be connected with Jorhat and Lakhimpur with new bridges for faster development. Urging the people of Majuli to find the power within themselves to compete with the very in the world, Sonowal said that there was spiritual energy in the river island as it was chosen by the Gurujona (Vaishnavite cultural and religious reformer Srimanta Sankardeva) for making it the seat of Neo Vaishnavite culture.
“There is tremendous curiosity of the people around the world about Majuli who want to visit the place and the state government is taking up lot initiatives for developing tourism potential of Majuli. All superstitious beliefs must be removed from the society with scientific temperament and people of both Barak and Brahmaputra valleys of the state must remain united in the spirit of harmonious coexistence for faster development of the state.” The chief minister said.
Speaking on the occasion Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that apart from the Ro/Ro vessel to be launched in October, the state government is going to bring a cruise vessel amounting Rs 15 crore to Majuli for providing cruise services over Brahmaputra river. He also said that Majuli is on the way towards rapid development due to the commitment of the chief
Earlier, another vessel for a new ferry service between Ahotguri and Misamorawas alsolaunched by the chief minister today which will greatly shorten the travel time for people between the places. Apart from these vessels, one Ramp Powered Lighter (RPL), which has been refurbished to carry JCB and dumpers to Majuli from Jorhat side, was also launched by the chief minister today.