GUWAHATI: Dispur has planned to press into service four vessels, including a RORO (roll on roll off) vessel, between Guwahati and North Guwahati in the run-up to the New Year. A fleet of 30 other vessels, on the other hand, are in pipeline under a World Bank-funded project. This fleet is likely to be in service in 2019-end.
After the September tragic boat accident near North Guwahati in the Brahmaputra this year mechanized boats have been banned in the mighty river. The order has badly affected the river transport system in the State, besides the people of North Guwahati.
A RORO vessel has the capacity of carrying 200 passengers and twelve loaded trucks. At present the State Inland Water Transport Department has two RORO vessels – one ferrying passengers and trucks between Dhubri and South Salmara and the other between Nematighat and Kamalabari – in Majuli. Dispur is expecting to get a RORO vessel from the Union Ministry of Shipping in December-end this year. The Centre has also assured Dispur of considering its plea for four other RORO vessels. The Centre is going to fund the expenditure of RORO vessels.
Talking to The Sentinel, Commissioner, Transport Department, Ashutosh Agnihotri said: “We’re expecting another RORO vessel from the Centre by the New Year. We’ve two RORO vessels at our disposal now. We’ve also sought four other RORO vessels from the Centre. The Centre has assured us of considering the plea. We’re expecting them by next year.”
Agnihotri further said: “We’re planning to get 30 more vessels next year. They’ll come under a World Bank-funded project that has already been sanctioned. The preparation of the DPR is underway.”
The World Bank Project is of around Rs 1,000 crore (around US $ 150 million).
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