A few months back, we had written about the State Government planning to start water taxi services on the Hooghly.
Two water taxis have been bought for the purpose, which Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has named after two of the prominent schemes she has devised – Sishu Sathi and Save Life. The services will be inaugurated soon.
Both of these schemes have been highly successful. While Sishu Sathi arranges for free heart operations for children, Save Life Safe Drive attempts to inculcate proper driving habits and teach people to follow road rules.
The Transport Department will run the vessels. Previously, the Chief Minister had named other projects of the Transport Department too, including Gatidhara, Jaladhara and the Pathasathi app.
The water taxis will be operating on two routes. One will be operating from Millennium Park Ghat to Dakshineswar via Belur Math while the other will be operating from Millennium Park Ghat to Belur Math via Dakshineswar.
There are eight seats in each of the water taxis. Six passengers will be carried on each trip, with the two remaining seats to be occupied by the operator and a safety officer. The operator and the safety officer will both be trained personnel, and will oversee the safety and security of passengers.
There are many places of interest along the banks of the Hooghly, both on the northern and southern sides of Millennium Park. If everything go as planned, more water taxis will be introduced, for trips from Millennium Park to Princep Ghat and Kidderpore.
Source: Millennium Post
