Himanta Biswa Sarma, Amit Shah and Sarbananda Sonowal
(From left) Himanta Biswa Sarma, Amit Shah and Sarbananda Sonowal. File photo

After the boat tragedy in river Brahmaputra, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday evening announced that he would visit Nimati Ghat in Jorhat district on Thursday.

A machine boat with over 100 passengers on board capsized in the river Brahmaputra near Nimati Ghat in Assam’s Jorhat district on Wednesday.

The boat was supposed to travel towards Kamalabari Ghat in the Majuli district.

Also read: Assam boat tragedy: Boat with over 100 passengers capsizes in river Brahmaputra near Nimati Ghat

The mishap took place at around 4 pm when the boat, named Maa Kamala, collided with a ship, named Tipkai in the mighty Brahmaputra

Saying that the boat accident has “pained” him, chief minister Sarma on his Twitter handle said he has directed the Majuli and Jorhat district administrations to carry out the rescue operations expeditiously with the help of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

“I am pained at the tragic boat accident near Nimati Ghat, Jorhat. Directed Majuli & Jorhat admin to undertake rescue mission expeditiously with help of @NDRFHQ & SDRF,” Assam CM Sarma tweeted.

Chief minister Sarma informed that he has asked minister Bimal Bora to immediately rushed to the accident site.

Sharing that he will visit the accident site at Nimati Ghat in Jorhat district, Sarma said, “Advising Min
@BimalBorahbjp to immediately rush to the accident site. I’ll also visit Nimati Ghat tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Shipping & Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal called chief minister Sarma to enquire about the incident.

Informing about Amit Shah’s call, chief minister Sarma tweeted: “Adarniya HM Sri @AmitShah had kindly called to enquire about the accident in Nimati Ghat and took an update on the rescue operations and conditions of those rescued so far.”

“He said the Central Government is ready to lend all possible help. Grateful to him,” Sarma tweeted.

Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal said he is “anguished” to learn about the ferry accident.

Sharing that he talked to the Assam CM to enquire about the incident, Sonowal tweeted: “Anguished to learn of the ferry accident in Majuli. I have talked with Assam CM Shri@himantabiswa regarding the accident and he has informed me of ongoing rescue and relief operations.”

“I have directed @shipmin_india to provide all necessary support to help the victims,” he added.