GUWAHATI: A marine engine installation program was organised by the Directorate of Inland Water Transport, Assam (DIWTA) in Guwahati on May 17.
The program was part of the Ministry of Transport's visit to monitor the progress of the 'Jibondinga Scheme,' which is being implemented under the World Bank-aided Assam Inland Water Transport (AIWT) project.
During the event, six beneficiaries were provided with marine engines and other safety gear to be retrofitted in their existing semi-mechanized country boats under the Jibondinga scheme.
The Minister of Transport of Assam, Parimal Suklabaidya attended the event and emphasised the government's commitment to ensuring safe, comfortable, and sustainable navigation for passengers and vessels across Assam's inland waterways.
A significant portion of Assam's population is dependent on semi-mechanised boats for daily mobility, especially in isolated areas.
However, these boats often lack adequate technology for safe navigation. To address this issue, the Assam government launched the 'Jibondinga Scheme' in collaboration with the World Bank. The scheme aims to improve the safety standards and operating conditions of semi-mechanized country boats by retrofitting them with modern marine engines.
Under the Jibondinga Scheme's first phase, 368 marine engines have been successfully installed across several districts in Assam.
The government has signed a contract with M/s Greaves Cotton Ltd. for another set of 378 marine engines in the second phase, with the installation currently underway.
The Assam government, with financial aid from the World Bank, is implementing the 'Assam Inland Water Transport (AIWT) project' to enhance the quality of inland waterway transport systems.
The project aims to integrate high-quality passenger and vehicle ferry services in the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, ensuring safe, sustainable, and reliable transportation for commuters in the state.
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