A total of 1,122 ferryboats have been allowed fortransportation in the State from March 2004 till today, informed Commerce Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi in the State Assembly on Saturday.
Replying to questions put by Member Byomkesh Ray, Majhi said the registered boats mandatorily carry life saving equipment (life bouy and life jacket), possess insurance cover for passengers and technical fit certificates before operation. Strict restrictions have been imposed on moving of unregistered ferryboats in the water courses.
He said 1,090 boats are awaiting registration now. Regarding development of waterways, the Minister said the Government had entrusted survey work to a company at 15 places and the company has so far identified five water routes for development. The identified routes include Baleswar-Chandipur through Budhabalang river and four others, including Rajnagar-Ali water route, through Kharasuan river.
To provide facility to boat passengers in Chandabali-Gupti water route, the Government has a proposal to built a jetty and a passenger restroom at Gupti at total cost of Rs1,24,36,000 with Nabard support, the Minister said.