Majuli Ro-Ro Vessel Worth Crores Lying Idle

Our Bureau

GUWAHATI/JORHAT: The state-of-the-art Ro-Ro Vessel that was put into service for ferrying passengers between Kamalabari in Majuli and Nematighat in Jorhat on October 11, 2018 has been lying idle for about five months.

Nobody can say as to why the vessel has been lying unused. While some point to technical problems, others blame it on lack of ramps at the two parghats where people board the vessel and alight from it. Yet some others say that the river near the two ghats is not deep enough to ensure smooth sailing of the vessel. Whatever may be the cause, the loss is huge. The vessel was procured at Rs 10 crore. If it is lying idle because of mechanical problems, how can it go out of order after rendering just five/six-month services? Why hasn’t the mechanical problems fixed up in the past few months? Doesn’t the State Transport Department, as the nodal department, have a guarantee agreement with the company that sold it?

If the vessel is lying idle due to lack of infrastructure, lapses on the part of the authority are writ large. Why did not the authority take up all such aspects of infrastructure before procuring such a costly vessel?

The Inland Water Authority of India (IWAI) procured the vessel in collaboration with the State Government. The vessel has a capacity of carrying 100 passengers, 25 small vehicles and eight trucks.

Flagging off the vessel last year, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal went on record saying, “This is going to further boost transportation in Majuli, particularly in goods movement. This will benefit the general public and also boost business activity in the Island.”

Now the communication between Majuli and Jorhat is back to square one – apart from the few ageing IWT (Inland Water Transport) vessels, small country boats and mechanized ones ferry passengers and goods. Passengers’ safety continues to be at stake.

How come such a trumpeted venture comes a cropper? Why doesn’t the department concerned take steps to restore the Ro-Ro ferry services to and from the riverine island? The situation only breeds queries and resentment among the people of Majuli.

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