The Assam government has entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Bank, and the IWT department has been given Rs 770 crore.
At Majuli, two of the four ferries will traverse the Brahmaputra, with one boat each serving Guwahati, North Guwahati, Uzanbazar, and Umananda.
According to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the state’s Inland Water Transport (IWT) department has signed an MoU with the World Bank for a Rs 770 crore loan to enhance river transportation.
Assam CM expresses thoughts on Twitter
CM took to Twitter to express his thoughts, “Assam & World Bank are exploring opportunities to work together on multiple projects ranging from the bridge and road infra to improvement of secondary health infrastructure as well as water resource management using latest technologies and scientific data.”
My pleasure to have met Mr Junaid Kamal Ahmad, Country Director, India, @WorldBank today in New Delhi.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 8, 2021
I am very happy and glad to share that we are taking Assam’s partnership with World Bank to the next, & higher level. @JUNAIDWBG pic.twitter.com/jQleH3ilG2
“My pleasure to have met Mr. Junaid Kamal Ahmad, Country Director, India, @WorldBank today in New Delhi. I am very happy and glad to share that we are taking Assam’s partnership with World Bank to the next, & higher level”, he further added.
While flagging off four steel catamaran vessels at Pandu Port, the chief minister stated that the national government would reimburse 80% of the sanctioned sum, with the state government covering the outstanding 20%.
Catamaran ferries inaugurated as a part of World Bank-funded initiative
The catamaran ferries were inaugurated as part of a World Bank-funded initiative to incorporate extremely top-quality passenger and vehicle ferry services into the province’s broader transportation network system, as per the chief minister.
The Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, as well as their tributaries, have aided Assam’s culture and civilization, but they also cause communication problems for individuals who live along their banks, according to Sarma.
Two of the four ferries will cross the Brahmaputra at Majuli, with one ferry serving each of Guwahati and North Guwahati, as well as Uzanbazar and Umananda.
E-ticketing system also created for Umananda ferry service
The vessels, which are powered by 180 HP twin engines and can travel at a forward speed of 10 knots, can hold 100 passengers and 50 two-wheelers.
Sarma also created an e-ticketing system for the Umananda ferry service, which allows travelers to order tickets in advance and helps with boat operations management.
