Jawans of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rescued 16 passengers, including the boatman, after a 10-hour-long operation in the Ajay river, near Jamuria in West Burdwan district in the early hours today.
Water levels in Ajay river are currently flowing above the danger mark. During the monsoon season, a temporary bridge that connects neighbouring Birbhum district with Asansol remains submerged, making boats the only viable mode of transport for students and labourers commuting daily.
Yesterday evening, a boat carrying 16 people from Nabashole Ghat in Birbhum district to Bagdiya Siddhyapur Ghat in Jamuria got stranded mid-river due to a technical failure in its engine. An SOS was sent to the West Burdwan district administration.
Jamuria police station, along with the BDO and BLLRO of Jamuria Block, promptly responded. SDRF jawans were dispatched to the scene. Rescue operations began under challenging conditions, as darkness and rainfall hampered visibility. Floodlights were brought in, and SDRF personnel used rubber boats to reach the stranded passengers. The rescue took nearly 10 hours.
“All 16 passengers, although panicked, were rescued safely,” confirmed an official from the administration.
Biswajeet Bhattacharya, SDM (sadar) of Asansol, stated that the rescue was completed around 3 a.m. Jawans from the 7th Battalion of West Bengal Police assisted in the operation.
Jamuria police received the SOS around 9 p.m, shortly after the boat had departed at approximately 8 p.m. All the rescued passengers, including the boatman, are residents of Birbhum district.
Hareram Singh, MLA of Jamuria, said he would demand the construction of a permanent bridge over the Ajay to improve connectivity between Birbhum and West Burdwan districts.