The Assam Inland Water Transport Development Society (AIWTDS) is
undertaking these initiatives, the CMO said in a post on X.
AIWTDS is modernising Assam's waterways by
enhancing safety, infrastructure and connectivity, focusing on key advancements
such as establishing new regulatory bodies, implementing night navigation, and
upgrading the fleet with 20 steel catamarans, the CMO said.
The Jibondinga Scheme has also been introduced to provide boat operators
with marine engines and safety gear," it said.
"As per the directives of HCM Dr @himantabiswa, @CSAssam_, Dr. Ravi
Kota held a meeting recently with AIWTDS to review the progress of these
initiatives," the CMO added.xThe
AIWTDS aims to enhance passenger ferry services and infrastructure while
strengthening the state's inland water transport framework, it said.
A key aspect of this initiative involves institutional and safety
improvements, leading to the setting up of the Assam Inland Water Transport Regulatory
Authority and Assam Inland Waterways Company Ltd.
Night navigation has been initiated, which has benefited over 8.5 lakh
passengers, the CMO said.
For modernising infrastructure, 20 advanced steel catamarans have been
added to the fleet, which also includes three search and rescue vessels, three
tugboats, and three survey boats.
A total of 840 marine engines and life-saving gear
have been provided to country boat operations under Jibondinga scheme, the CMO
said.
As part of efforts to improve terminals, a fixed terminal has been
constructed in Guwahati, and modular terminals have been established at North
Guwahati, Umananda, Neamati, and Aphalamukh, it added.