Guwahati: As the casualty in Nimatighat boat mishap on Brahmaputra in central Assam has gone up to three following the recovery of another
passenger’s partially decomposed body at Bishwanath ghat, State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the site on Wednesday for the
second time to inspect the safety measures put in place. The accident that took place when two ferries collied and had already
snatched away the lives of two other passengers. The third victim, a medical practitioner by profession, was identified by his family
members. Dr Bikramjit Baruah was found wearing a black shirt and some of his belongings including his identity card were also recovered by
the rive police. A resident of Jorhat, Dr Baruah went missing after the incident of boat capsizing. Days back, another dead passenger (Indreswar Bora of Lakhimpur) was
recovered, where as a college teacher Parimita Das from Guwahati died after drowning in the accident. Assam government has already
suspended three inland water transport officials and also instituted a high-level probe into the incident of boat capsizing. Some owners of
private machine-boats were also arrested. The BJP led government also announced a set of safety measures for the ferries to ply between Nimatighat (Jorhat) and Majuli island (and elsewhere in the State) for the safety of passengers. CM Sarma also inspected the operating protocols of Ro-Pax plying there and informed
that two more vessels would reach Majuli very soon besides another developed by the department is in the queue. Sama revealed that he was in touch with Union ports, shipping and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who is yet to resign as a legislator from Majuli constituency. Sarma had requested the former
saffron chief minister for sending two more Ro-Pax vessels to Assam where one will ply between Jorhat and Majuli. Moreover, eight local
machine boats with usual engines would be fitted with modern engines in the government’s expenses. Earlier, Sarma reviewed the safety measures adopted by the IWT
department across the State. He urged all passengers to wear life-jackets before departure of the vessel. One magistrate in Majuli and another in Jorhat will be present during departure and arrival of the ferries. The magistrates are asked to submit daily reports to the concerned district magistrates.
“Ticket will be issued to every passenger and his name, address and contract number will be maintained in the register before boarding the
vessel. In order to avoid conflict of interest and other difficulties, the fuel for vessels will be made free from ceiling by the finance department,” commented Sarma.
CM Sarma visits Nimatighat for second time
