Guwahati: Along with the nation, Assam is also preparing for Chhath Puja on Wednesday, where the Sun God is worshipped on the bank of rivers. Assam Governor professor Jagdish Mukhi and State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have greeted the people across the State on the auspicious occasion of Chhath Puja, which is recognized as a festival of self-discipline, faith and belief.
“My heartfelt greetings to the people on this sacred occasion and hope that the celebrations of Chhath Puja depicting utmost self-discipline, faith & belief would help in strengthening human values like, restraint over material desires, renunciation etc,” said Governor Mukhi adding that the people however should follow the Covid-19 guidelines while participating in the festival.
Earlier, CM Sarma flagged off four steel catamaran vessels at Pandu Port in the city on Monday with an aim to transform the quality of inland water transport services in the State. These vessels were launched under a World Bank funded project to integrate high quality passenger and vehicle ferry services into the State’s wider transport network system.
Out of the four vessels, two will ply over mighty river Brahmaputra at Majuli and one each in between Guwahati-North Guwahati and Uzanbazar -Umananda ferry ghats. The newly launched vessels, empowered with 180 HP twin engines, have the capacity to carry 100 passengers along with 50 two-wheelers.
Coinciding with the occasion, Sarma in the presence of State transport minister Chandra Mohan Patowary also launched e-ticketing system for Umananda ferry service which would enable tourists to pre-book their tickets. He informed that the IWT department has inked an MoU with World Bank, which has sanctioned rupees 770 crores towards realizing the government’s effort for improving the river transportation.
Sarma revealed that soon after the Nimatighat boat capsize, the government took an aggressive approach to make river transportation more secured and hassle-free. Accordingly, steps are in progress to fit marine engines in 853 boats. He also elaborated government steps taken to streamline the ferry service and various plans for passenger’s movement between Majui and Jorhat during the ensuing Raas festival.
He also added that the e-ticketing system was already introduced in Jorhat-Majuli rout and shortly e-ticketing system would be launched for Guwahati-North Guwahati ferry service too. It may be mentioned that prior to the Nimatighat boat mishap, 16 boats used to ply between Majuli and Jorhat. The government has planned to increase the number up to 20 for the benefit of commuters.
