Jorhat DC directs IWTD to strictly follow safety measures in ferries

HT Correspondent
JORHAT, Sept 30: Jorhat deputy commissioner Ashok Kumar Barman in his capacity as District Magistrate has issued prohibitory orders under Sec 144 CrPC to ensure the safety and security of passengers on ferry services.
The restrictions, imposed in the light of the recent boat capsize accident in Dhubri, bars taking selfies during boat journeys, strict prohibition of carrying passengers in cargo goods carrying ferries except the four crew members of the IWT Directorate.
The order further mentions strict adherence to carrying passengers and goods as per the permissible limits as fixed by the concerned IWTD authorities and also following the ferry timing as per the schedule fixed by the IWTD authority for both passenger and cargo boats.
The boats should also have necessary life-saving equipment like life jackets, life buoy on the boats and making them available to the passengers.
The order also stated that the concerned IWT Directorate authorities should carry out regular fitness inspection of passenger and cargo ferries and also carry out mandatory refreshers training for the crew members and other staff for smooth functioning of the ferry.