Life Jackets mandatory for each passenger in Assam

Guwahati (Assam), September 12, 2018:

After the boat mishap where at least four people lost their lives in the Brahmaputra, the Assam Government has banned the plying of all mechanised country boats in the entire river system until any further order. The government has also made it mandatory for all vessels to have life jackets for each person boarding on the vessels.

Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary speaking about the issue said that all the single-engine ferry owners will have to convert their vessels into double-engine and these should have reverse gears as well.

After a review meeting, he added that according to the norms, all the vessels that ply on the river route need to have life jackets for each and every person on board. Once the vessels start plying again, it will be mandatory for the passengers to put on the life jackets.