Ferry Incident on Gangadhar River Raises Safety Concerns
Ferry Leak Causes Panic Among Passengers
The vessel was travelling from Tamarhat to Kataltoli when water reportedly began entering through a crack in its bottom. (AT Photo)
Dhubri, Sept 21: Over 100 passengers experienced a terrifying moment when a ferry transporting them across the Gangadhar River developed a leak near Ghuma Ferry Ghat in Tamarhat on Monday.
The ferry was en route from Tamarhat to Kataltoli when it began taking on water through a crack in its hull.
Panic ensued as passengers, including women and children, rushed to find safety. Reports indicated that part of the vessel was submerged.
A female passenger recounted that several individuals jumped into the river with a rope, assisting in pulling the boat towards a sandbar, which enabled the passengers to escape.
“Water was flooding the boat quickly, and everyone started yelling. We were scared,” she shared.
Due to the absence of life jackets or safety gear, many passengers had to wade through the river to reach a nearby shallow sandbank.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported; however, several passengers claimed that the ferry was in poor condition and not fit for carrying passengers.
This incident has sparked concerns regarding safety protocols at the ferry ghat. A local leader criticized the operation of the service, stating that it was being conducted with an unsafe vessel and lacking proper safety measures.
“If the boat had capsized in the river, the outcome could have been catastrophic. There were no life jackets or essential safety equipment,” he remarked, calling for an investigation into the ferry service's operations and accountability for those in charge.
Passengers also noted that the vessel was heavily overloaded, carrying an e-rickshaw and multiple motorcycles.
The claims regarding unauthorized operations, overloading, and insufficient safety equipment have not been independently verified.
This incident has reignited concerns about passenger safety at Ghuma Ferry Ghat, prompting demands for an immediate inspection of the ferry and its safety measures.