Price hike of ferry in Cachar; Protest erupts in Itkhola ferry-ghat

Hundreds of local commuters today held protest at Itkhola ferry ghat alleging hike in fare, and sorry state of affairs at the ferry ghat. Protesting people today halted the ferry service at Itkhola ghat. Nearly 15 thousands people commute through the ghats that connects Silchar to the villages of other bank of river Barak. But the protesting people alleges that, ” the condition of ghat is horrible, ghats were not renovated since years, the stairs are also broken, people take a lot of hardships to commute through the ghats.”

“We have raised these issues many times with the IWDP office at Annapurna Ghat, but they don’t pay any heed. The office do not function normally, there are almost 15-20 staffs posted at Silchar whereas only two or three remains present,” the protestor added.

The boats are also inadequate, only one boat is there, that too in meagre condition. We need another boat. They aro also charging us more than the fare price. The roads are also broken, many accidents took place in the road approaching the ghat. So we demand government action, otherwise we will go for larger protest, ” another protestor said.