Assam Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary on Wednesday said the inhabitants of Majuli often face problems while transporting the bodies of their near and dear ones who die during treatment in Jorhat and added that the government would soon introduce free ferry services to carry bodies from Jorhat to Majuli as private operators charge exorbitant fees for transporting the bodies.
Night navigation facilities assume significance particularly in places like Sadiya and Majuli where the inhabitants are surrounded by rivers and there is no alternate way to use water ways during emergencies.
Patowary was addressing a day-long workshop here on International Practices in Inland River Transport & Assam Inland Water Transport Projects (AIWTP).
He also underlined the importance of introducing freight services to enhance the movement of goods and passengers and also of luxury ships in certain tourist circuits to promote eco-tourism.
The World Bank has already decided to invest Rs 1,000 crore on inland water transportation in Assam, especially for the development of jetties on the river banks.
"With the mighty Brahmaputra and its tributaries, Assam is blessed with immense water resources and we need to harness these resources to its optimum level. As per the Act East Policy, the inland water channel to Bangladesh will be opened shortly to boost trade and commerce in this region," he said.
The Minister further added that with the World Bank's expertise and technology, it would be the key driver for economic prosperity of Assam.
Inland water transportation is one of the cost-effective ways of transportation in Assam and is also environment-friendly as it emits less pollution compared to other modes of transportation.
However, due to lack of proper planning and infrastructural shortcomings, the inland water transport system had not developed in the state.
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