GUWAHATI: “Let there be a complete ban on country boats,” said locals of North Guwahati in unison while blaming Inland Water Transport for the capsized overloaded country boat on September 5. As many as two persons died while several others are feared drowned after the private country-made engine boat they were travelling on capsized in the Brahmaputra River that fateful afternoon.
Authorities have not been able to confirm the exact number of persons missing.
The senior citizen forum took out a silent protest against authorities failing to provide security to its denizens. People in thousands came out on the streets to join the protest.
“There should be time bound ferry services from North Guwahati. Country boats should be completely banned,” Nayan Deka of North Guwahati said.
The country boat that capsized on September 5 was allegedly carrying more than 40 passengers according to locals, in addition to motorcycles and cycles. Authorities claimed tickets were issued to 23 individuals.
Overloading a rule rather an exception
“People themselves want to travel beyond capacity on these boats risking their own lives. Even if tickets are not issued beyond capacity people prefer to commute without tickets. Eventually it became a regular practice to ply overloaded,” a driver of a country boat said.
Locals slamming IWT condemned the discrepancy in regulating professionalism of drivers and of the country boats as well as their maintenance. They complained that drivers usually remain under the influence of liquor while on duty.
“These boats stop working while plying on water for at least 2 times a day. The drivers somehow make them work while floating idle on the river. Commuters depend on God to commute safely from one bank to the other,” Anjali Kalita, a commuter said.
When contacted, IWT Director Bharat Bhusan Dev Choudhury, said that something positive would come up in two days in terms of better and safer travelling options.