Transport dept all set to introduce 35 robust, safe vessels before Durga Puja

Kolkata: The state Transport department is all set to introduce 35 robust and safe vessels before Durga Puja for better transport facilities in inland waterways.

It may be mentioned that the state Transport department has already taken a series of steps to ensure that people do not face any inconvenience while availing the transport services in inland waters. At the same time, steps have also been taken to ensure security and safety of commuters.

The state government had introduced the Jalodhara scheme under which safe and robust vessels are getting introduced by which people can cross river Hooghly at different transit points without any risk.

Sources said around 35 such vessels will be introduced ahead of Durga Puja. Around 15 of such 35 vessels are of capacity to carry 100 passengers at a time.

It is learnt that if everything goes as planned then the vessels will be introduced by the beginning of the next week. An official of the state Transport department said 20 of such 35 vessels are under the Jalodhara project. It may be mentioned that the vessels are constructed based on a special design prepared after incidents in which semi-mechanised motorised boats had capsized happened. The state Transport department also ensured repairing of jetties following a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Jalosathis have also been appointed at the jetties to maintain the SOP.

The jalosathis maintain vigil to check overloading on vessels and also take necessary steps for safety and security of passengers. Moreover, roro service will also be initiated between Namkhana and Narayangarh soon. All steps have also been taken to introduce the facility as early as possible. It will benefit the locals immensely and further improve the inland waterways facilities.