Bhagalpur: The district administration has decided to deploy additional ferries and boats, including private operators, from Thursday to ease mounting pressure at Barari ghat after the collapse of a 30-metre RCC slab of Vikramshila Setu on May 4 disrupted connectivity between Bhagalpur and the Seemanchal region.Thousands of daily commuters, including milkmen, vegetable sellers, office-goers and teachers, have been depending on boats to cross the Ganga since the bridge collapse snapped the direct road link between south and north Bihar.Officials said cargo ferry services for tractors, pick-up vans, small trucks and ambulances were also being planned. A temporary police station has been opened at Barari ghat to control crowds and maintain law and order.The administration has already been operating free boat services between 5am and 5pm. Registered private boats and jetties have also been allowed to operate at subsidised fares under official supervision.District officials are inspecting Barari, Sabour and Kahalgaon ghats and considering additional ferry operations from both sides of the river to manage the growing rush of passengers.Sources said three private agencies along with the Inland Waterways Authority of India were likely to operate eight additional ferries and large boats besides 14 cargo vessels between Bhagalpur and Naugachia. Work on temporary jetties and related infrastructure is being carried out on a war footing.Bhagalpur district magistrate Nawal Kishor Choudhary said on Wednesday that commuters travelling towards Naugachia and Seemanchal were now largely dependent on waterways, while four-wheelers were being forced to take a longer route via Shrikrishna Setu between Munger and Khagaria.Referring to safety measures, Nawal said life jackets and life-saving equipment had been made mandatory on ferries and boats. “No ferries or vessels shall be operated before sunrise or after sunset,” he said.
