In a major step towards improved connectivity, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday launched a new Roll-on-Roll-off (RoRo) vessel, MV Bhupen Hazarika to connect Kamalabari with Neemati Ghat in Jorhat at a function held at Majuli.
The new RoRo service has been launched in collaboration with the Inland Waterways Authority of India and Government of Assam to provide much needed connectivity for Majuli island.
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With the launching of the Ro-Ro service, travel time will cut down circuitous road route of 421 km that trucks take from Nimati to Majuli island via Tezpur Road Bridge by limiting the distance to only 12.7 km with the use of river route.
The vessel which is 46.50 meter long and 13.30 meter wide has the carrying capacity of eight trucks and 100 passengers.
The vessel has one main engine apart from two other supporting engines. MV Bhupen Hazarika can sail at the speed of 22 km per hour.
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Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, MPs from Jorhat and Lakhimpur Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and Pradan Barua and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
IWAI had already started a Ro-Ro service between Dhubri and Hatsingimari which reduced the travel distance by 190 KMs. A permanent Ro-Ro terminal was constructed at Dhubri.
“Floating terminals have also been constructed at 11 locations along the Brahmaputra waterway. These are at Hatsingimari, Dhubri, Jogighopa, Tezpur, Silghat, Biswanathghat, Neamati, Sengajan, Bogibeel, Dibrugarh and Oriumghat,” an official said.