Government to organise boat manufacturers' conclave in Bengal

The boat-building industry and river transport are coming to Bengal in a very big way and the state government, in collaboration with Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI), is organising a manufacturers' conclave on the matter on June 6.

The meeting is the first-of-its-kind in Bengal.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, during the administrative review meeting for South 24 Parganas, had raised the issue of upgrading jetties and semi-mechanised boats.

The stakeholders' conclave on sustainable ferry transport is likely to be attended by 12 outstation entrepreneurs including Mahindra and Mahindra and 41 local entrepreneurs.

The state government is prioritising river transport and upgradation of semi-mechanised boats. River transport plays a major role in Howrah, Hooghly, Murshidabad and South and North 24 Parganas among the districts of South Bengal.

A senior state government official said that in Raichowk-Kukrahati sector, two steel vessels named Sristi and Kristi have been introduced. In Budge Budge – Bauria sector a wooden vessel named Madhurina has been introduced, replacing an old, semi-mechanised vessel. The steel and wooden vessels are safer and more comfortable.

Balagarh and Guptipara in Hooghly and Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas are famous for their local boat-manufacturing industries.

In Guptipara, there are families that have been engaged in boat manufacturing for generations. Large, spacious and decorated boats were a symbol of prosperity and wealth while small and big wooden boats were used to ferry people across the rivers.