The Assam government has mulled to start a river taxi service in Guwahati.
The Assam inland transport department is likely to start a river taxi service between Fancy Bazar ghat to LGBI airport at Borjhar, North Guwahati, Palashbari and other locations this year.
“A water taxi will take 15 minutes to reach the airport while by road it takes more than an hour during peak hour. One can reach the Umananda temple in two minutes and Palashbari in 12 minutes by a water taxi. Besides the youths can run our small vessels in other rivers in the state for a safe and convenient transport facility,” Transport minister Chandra Mohan Patowary told reporters in Guwahati.
Patowary said the water taxis were part of the department’s plan to revamp the water transport system in the state.
The minister said the river taxis would have night navigation facility too.
“We are trying to replace the engines of our vessels which are already very old. We are also taking steps for providing better training to our crew,” he said.
He said the Centre has approved six Ro-Ro (roll on-roll off) vessels, which can transport 10 loaded trucks and 200 passengers.
“One vessel is already operating at Hasingimari in Mancachar while others will operate in Guwahati, Majuli, Dhubri and Silchar. The Centre has also approved Rs 31 crore for 71 floating jetties for all-weather transport. We will also start 11 new vessels by July,” Patowary said.