AT Photo
Dhubri, Sep 13: As the Assam government banned all single-engine boats from plying on Brahmaputra, more than one thousand passengers from South Salmara Mankachar district and Meghalaya who came to Dhubri Town through river way on Monday, were stranded.
According to them, boats from South Salmara Mankachar District ferried to Dhubri town on Monday morning after which the Dhubri District administration complying on the state government's order following the tragic Majuli incident, restricted them from plying further. "Most of us have come to Dhubri for treatment and other official works. But we are stuck now", said one of the passengers.
"Why in the first place they allowed the boats to ply and then banned it after we reached Dhubri", questioned another passenger.
The passengers as well as boat operators also protested at the Jogomnaya Ghat area of Dhubri Town from where the boats ply to the neighbouring district as well as to Meghalaya.
However, the Deputy Commissioner of Dhubri, Anbaumuthan MP reached the spot and allowed seven boats to ply to South Salmara and Mankachar area, on emergency basis and asked them not to ply till the government protocols are followed.
"We have asked the boat owners to install a marine engine and then ply over the river Brahmaputra", said the Deputy Commissioner.
It may be stated that more than two hundred single-engine boats ply through 12 river routes over mighty Brahmaputra daily to Dhubri Town.
