Guwahati, Sept 9: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday ordered the police to file a criminal case and has suspended three employees of the Inland waterways department during his visit to Nimatighat in Jorhat district of Upper Assam to take stock of the boat capsize tragedy, which has claimed one life, till the filing of this report.
Visited the boat accident site near Nimati Ghat & took stock of the present situation & rescue operations by @NDRFHQ & SDRF.
Have directed Jorhat Dist Admin to register a criminal case on the accident. A high level inquiry will also be instituted today. pic.twitter.com/gLyk9X54l5
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 9, 2021
A private boat, Maa Kamala, heading towards Majuli with at least 90 passengers — as per tickets — sank on Wednesday evening, after a collision with a government-owned ferry near Nimati Ghat.
CM Sarma said that 87 of the 90 passengers boarded on the Maa Kamala boat have been rescued till now and two are missing.
“We have lost the life of a girl when the unfortunate incident happened at around 4 pm (on September 8, 2021),” said Sarma.
He said the family members of the deceased — Paimita Das, an associate professor in a college at Majuli — will receive Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia as per government norms and if needed, government job will be provided to an immediate member of her family.
“The NDRF and SDRF teams are carrying out the rescue operation. Till now, we have found 90 passengers were boarded at the Maa Kamala boat but the figures may change because many passengers board without ticket.”
“I have asked the Jorhat Police to file a criminal case for the accident. By today evening, we will announce a high-level probe to find out the reasons behind the accident,” Sarma told the media after holding meetings with the concerned officials.
Officials suspended
He also informed that three officials of inland waterways were suspended on Wednesday after the boat capsize tragedy took place.
“I feel that due to major flaws in management, the incident may have occurred. There are four government ferries at Nimatighat and we will send two more ferries from Guwahati,” he added.
Ban on single engine boats
Sarma has also ordered ban on single engine boats and has asked the owners to install marine engine to their boats.
From today, plying of private ferries will be stopped as they don’t have marine engine. If owners wish to convert single engine to marine engine, GoA will provide grant of Rs 10 lakh with 75% subsidy.
SoP will be issued to schedule health check ups of those working on boats. pic.twitter.com/NsgnDOXHb4
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 9, 2021
“Marine will cost around Rs 10 lakh for which government will arrange for a subsidy in purchase,” he said.
Sarma further said, “We are thinking for dredging from Nimatighat to Kamalabari. We have to discuss with Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Sarbananda Sonowal is coming to Guwahati on Friday and we will discussed about the matter.”
When asked about Majuli bridge, Sarma said, “Already drawing has been done for the project and all the project details were sent to Delhi and from this year November the construction work of the bridge will be start, and within four years it will be completed.”
