The Assam government has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs.1.5 lakh each to the next of kin of those who died in the boat tragedy in Dhubri district a day earlier.
At least 68 people died and over 150 were still missing after a ferry, with over 250 people on board, capsized in heavy storm in Brahmaputra river in Assam’s Dhubri district Monday evening, officials said.
Assam Transport Minister Chandan Brahma rushed to the Fakirganj area Tuesday morning to take stock of the situation, a day after the boat carrying 250-300 people drowned in the Brahmaputra river.
The minister announced that while the family members of the deceased will be paid Rs.1.5 lakh, seriously injured passengers will be given Rs.50,000 each.
Sources in the district administration confirmed that 68 bodies have been fished out till 9.30 p.m. The Border Security Force (BSF) and National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) could rescue about 35 people from the river till that time.
Some of the passengers of the ill-fated ferry also reached the river bank by swimming and with the help of local people, the sources informed.
Local people said the incident took place in the evening hours when the ferry, on its way to Madattari under Fakirganj police station from Dhubri town, was caught up in a heavy storm.
“The government has also arranged for free treatment for all victims who are undergoing treatment in various hospitals,” Brahma said.
“We have ordered an inquiry into the whole incident to find out what is the exact cause of the tragedy – whether it was overloading of passengers or the weather,” the minister said while countering the allegation that overcrowding was a common practice on ferries in the state.
The Assam transport minister also assured the local people of improving on a priority basis the communication infrastructure to Fakirganj, which falls within Jaleswar legislative assembly constituency, .
“We have already arranged for technically sophisticated motor launches to ply between Dhubri and Fakirganj and the new motor launches will arrive by next week,” he said, and added that the government had already sanctioned a bridge over the Brahmaputra to connect Jaleswar and Dhubri.
“The construction of the bridge will start soon,” he said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a Rajya Sabha MP from the state, has expressed his shock about the loss of lives in the boat tragedy and conveyed his deepest condolences to the near and dear ones of those who lost their lives, said an official release.
He has also instructed officials for all possible assistance to the state government in relief operations and also for assistance from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the families of the deceased.
The prime minister spoke to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to convey his condolences and express solidarity with the people of Assam.