Jalosathis ensuring safe commute for Kolkatans

Kolkata: Deployment of jalosathis at transit points of inland waterways is ensuring safety and security to commuters.

It may be mentioned that the Mamata Banerjee government has taken all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of people who travel across river Hooghly in vessels.

Major steps were taken after the Telenipara incident that had claimed some lives. The state government had decided to develop jetties at the transit points following Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), to avoid any untoward incident.

Besides upgrading the existing earmarked jetties, new ones were also constructed following the SOP that ensured proper illumination in the area, necessary infrastructure to check overloading of vessels, etc.

At the same time, the idea was mooted to deploy well-trained persons at the jetties so that the SOPs are maintained and so, the jalosathis were posted at the jetties.

The jalosathis underwent necessary training in this connection before they were posted at the jetties. Besides ensuring that passenger load of vessels is maintained and no passenger gets onto the jetty before the scheduled time, the jalosathis have also been trained to initiate rescue work in case any untoward incident takes place.

The jalosathis have been commissioned a blue uniform so that they can be easily identified by commuters, who can approach them for any sort of help.

Commuters also feel confident in travelling in the vessels due to the presence of jalosathis at the transit points. At night, the jalosathis ensure that the area remains properly illuminated so that commuters do not face problem in getting down from vessels due to lack of

sufficient light at the transit points.

The jalosathis follow the orders strictly so that no overloading takes place. They also help elderly people as and

when required. They also ensure that there is no rush to get onto the vessels, to prevent any accident.