Students Fail to Reach School with Inadequate Ferry Service in Katigorah After Gamon Bridge Closure

Hundreds of school and college students were seen queuing up at the Siddheswar Ferry Ghat in Katigorah on Thursday morning, braving torrential rainfall to cross the Barak River by ferry. The chaotic and risky commute follows the temporary closure of the Gamon Bridge, a vital link on National Highway 6 connecting Katigorah to Badarpur, which has been shut for two months for urgent repair work.

With the bridge out of service, ferry transport is the only option left for residents travelling to Badarpur and beyond for work, school, or college. However, what was meant to be a planned alternative has turned into a logistical nightmare. Although the administration had announced the deployment of three engine-powered ferries, only one was seen operating on Thursday, managed by personnel of the Inland Water Transport (IWT) department.

“The scene is dangerous. Hundreds of students are standing in the rain, waiting for a single ferry to take them across. Many could not make it and had to return home,” said a local resident, expressing concerns about the lack of proper planning and safety.

What makes matters worse is the condition of the ferry ghat itself. Continuous rainfall has rendered the approach to the ghat extremely slippery and narrow. Locals report that even two people cannot walk side-by-side without slipping, raising fears of a potential accident at any moment.

Parents, teachers, and residents have urged the district administration to intervene immediately and ensure safe, reliable transport for the students. “The situation is unacceptable. We understand the bridge had to be repaired, but risking children’s lives like this cannot be the solution,” said one concerned guardian.

With no clear timeline yet on when ferry operations will be streamlined, the residents of Katigorah are left to navigate daily uncertainty and danger just to access essential services like education.