Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Birendra Prasad Baishya (AGP) said, "More than 300 people were killed when the ferry capsized in Brahmaputra... More than 350 tickets were sold while there were many without ticket...It is the worst accident in my state."
Baishya said water transport was the only option for the people in the region in absence of any other mode of communication and over 100 indigenous boats ply in the rivers in Dhubri and Guwahati without safety measures.
"There are no safety measures... No bridges and roads in the region...There are no life jackets in boats...Please modernise it to save the lives," he said, demanding that the Centre should come forward and help.
He accused the Centre of not coming forward to the rescue of the state even at the time of this kind of "tragic accident."
Seeking a "financial package" from the Centre to strengthen water transport system in the state, he said the government should give package to other areas devoid of adequate infrastructure.
Many BJP members associated with Baishya. PTI NAM AMR SMI