CM lays base of river ferry terminal; launches 12 online Transport Dept. services ** Ropeway service from Khanapara to LGBI airport on the anvil
HT Bureau
Guwahati, May 13: Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that his Government has initiated the process of creating a state-of-the-art river terminal on the mighty Brahmaputra here, equipped with shopping centres, restaurants and parking facilities.
Laying the foundation stone of the Rs 289-crore Guwahati Gateway Ferry Terminal here, Sarma said that the project is going “to be the first of its kind on a river system in India”, though similar infrastructure has been built on sea in the past.
Sarma pointed out that the river terminal will have requisite amenities for the differently abled, senior citizens, women and children.
The Government has allotted the project to Larsen and Toubro, and work on the terminal is expected to be completed within 24 months, he said.
“We are also about to embark on construction of small modular terminals at places such as Dhubri, Bahari, among others, which will go a long way in improving the river transport system between various districts of the state,” the chief minister said.
He, as part of the efforts to boost river tourism, flagged off two catamarans during the day, each having a capacity of 100 passengers and 50 motorbikes.
So far, the government has flagged off ten catamaran services – eight in Guwahati and two in Majuli – while ten more are on the anvil, he maintained.
Sarma said this was also a step towards modernising the river transport network.
He noted that plans have been made to set up passenger elevators at different points along the bank of river Brahmaputra, particularly near tourist spots such as Kamakhya Temple and Umananda island.
The CM underlined that all boats plying the river are being provided free of cost marine engines, with ferry services being extended till 11 pm from 8 pm at present.
The chief minister also revealed plans to launch a ropeway service from Khanapara to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. “Preliminary survey and research for this (the ropeway project) has been done. If all goes well, we will soon go ahead with this project.”
Highlighting the achievements of the Transport department, he said that seven lakh people have availed online contactless services introduced since September last year
The CM handed over driving licenses to 50 beneficiaries on the occasion and urged the officials helming the Assam Skill Development Mission to train these youths and prepare them for jobs.
The chief minister also launched 12 Aadhaar-based contactless services for the people and another initiative called ‘CM-Trans’, both related to the Transport department.
Speaking on these, the chief minister exuded confidence these initiatives will contribute greatly to elimination of middlemen from district transport offices.
“With the 12 online services (of Transport department) and ‘CM-Trans’ launched today, I am confident the menace of middlemen from the district transport offices will be dealt a severe blow. Along with greater transparency, these services will ensure efficiency in service delivery by the (Transport) department,” the chief minister stated.
