Hassel in movement of ferries on Brahmaputra; IWT takes up issue with IWAI

FALL IN WATER LEVEL OF BRAHMAPUTRA

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The drastic fall in the water level of the Brahmaputra is becoming a problem of sorts as time passes. The situation came to such a pass today that a vessel got stuck on sand near the bank in Majuli, needing rescue boats to rescue the stranded passengers and vehicles.

On October 25, the IWT (Inland Water Transport) Department had to suspend ferry services between Guwahati and North Guwahati due to the abrupt fall in the water level. The IWT also shifted the parghats with the help of jetties.

Such a low water level in the Brahmaputra is common in the last part of November. However, this year, the water has fallen to this level a month before the usual time.

According to IWT sources, a ferry, RPL Digaru, was on its way to Kamalabari Ghat in Majuli from Neamatighat in the Jorhat district at 8.30 a.m. in the Brahmaputra. The ferry had 114 passengers, 23 motorbikes, and four light motor vehicles (cars) onboard. Before reaching Kamalabari Ghat, the ferry got stuck on the sand due to the low level of water. The IWT crew members onboard the ferry tried to move the ferry but failed. They informed IWT officials at Kamalabari Ghat, from where a ‘jaltori’, a rescue boat, rushed to the spot, rescued the passengers first, and then took the vehicles to Kamalabari Parghat. The passengers were stranded for about 50 minutes and reached Kamalabari Ghat at around 11.05 a.m.

When The Sentinel contacted, a local IWT official said, “The drastic fall in the water level of the Brahmaputra in Majuli is behind the ferry getting stuck on the sand. This year, the water level of the river is falling fast. The Neamatighat side in the Jorhat district has the required water level for the smooth movement of ferries. However, in the Kamalabari Ghat on the Majuli side, the fall in the water level laid bare the sar.”

The official further said, “Neamatighat is in the main channel of the Brahmaputra, but Kamalabari Ghat is in the sub-channel of the river. For the smooth movement of a loaded ferry, the minimum water level is 6.5 feet. However, the water levels of the sub-channel vary from 4.5 feet to 5.5 feet, leading vessels to get stuck on sand.”

Speaking to The Sentinel, IWT executive engineer Munu Dutta said, “The fall in water level near the Kamalabari Ghat has come to our notice, and we have already informed the IWAI (Inland Waterways Authority of India) through our directorate office. We have urged the IWAI to clear the channel for smooth movement of ferries.”

According to sources, IWAI is likely to engage people to clear the channel on the Kamalabari Ghat side tomorrow. The maintenance of the National Waterways No 2 (Brahmaputra) comes under IWAI.

The decrease in the water level of the Brahmaputra has laid bare the sars in the river at various places like Palasbari, near Nagarbera, Guwahati, Chandrapur, etc.

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