Exorbitant rate charged by boatmen during the devastating flood made lives more miserable in Silchar

July 3: Flood 2.0 in Silchar had devastating effect upon the populace. As per the official version, torrential rainfall for a couple of days flooded river Barak. Finally, through the man-made breach at Bethukandi dyke in Berenga area of Silchar, the river water submerged almost the entire town on 20 June, 2022. The water level at various parts of Silchar town was unprecedented, thereby causing heavy loss of property of the people.

Due to tremendous current in the water mobility became a major issue. The 1st and foremost problem faced by the submerged people of Silchar was that of drinking water followed by food shortage and other associated issues. However, one aspect which came to the forefront this time was the exorbitant rate charged by the boatmen to ferry people. Boats were primarily used for two purposes. Those who were submerged tried to shift to safe places, whereas many ventured out to procure drinking water, food items, medicines and other necessary commodities. A few had to move out with patients. The next primary use of boats was by individuals, NGO’s, clubs and organisations who wished to provide drinking water and other relief materials to the submerged people in various localities of Silchar town.

Till now, though flood water has receded from many parts of Silchar town, but in areas like National Highway, Chengcoorie, Vivekananda Road, one will still notice boats plying on the roads. When flood water entered Silchar town on 20 June, initially, for a day or two, boats were not at sight atleast in most areas of Silchar. But from 23 June, everywhere in the town there were boats of various size.

In one such incident, one Saikat Roy wanted to shift his mother, wife and a child from Shyamananda Ashram Road to Hospital Road (near BTN office). As he was unable to get any help from NDRF or other rescue teams, he became bound to hire a boat for Rs.5,000. Another person, Tulsi Dutta from Public School Road too tried to come out with his family and shift to his relative’s house at Ambicapatty. The boatman charged Rs.4,000 to cover the distance from near Public School to near BTN office. He said, “When I tried to bargain the rate, the boatman without wasting a second left without listening to me further.”

Dilu Das, a social worker, was busy distributing drinking water along with other members of Netaji Chhatra Yuva Sangstha. He said, “We purchased water on the 1st day for Rs.3,000. However, the boatmen charged Rs. 4,000 per hour for distributing the drinking water.” Interacting with way2barak, a few boys of Sonai Road said, “We collected money from some of our neighbours and decided to purchase drinking water for the people engulfed in flood. As such, we purchased drinking water bottles by spending Rs. 2,200. Then when we contacted a boatman to take us from near Holy Cross School to Link Road point, he demanded Rs. 3,500 per hour. This was beyond our capability. Another boatman went further and charged Rs.4,000 from us. Finally, when we saw that our budget would not permit it, we then carried the bottles somehow and distributed in our adjacent lane instead of going to Link Road.” Many being unable to afford the high fare of boats made bamboo rafts to distribute drinking water among the people.

Now the question is what made the boatmen to charge exorbitant rate at a time when the entire town was reeling under devastating flood? Is there no rules and regulations to fix the rate of boat fare? Has this important aspect not in the knowledge of district administration? Did anyone complain about it to the district administration?

So, who were these boatmen who came to Silchar town during the floods? Some of them were professional boatmen who usually ply their boats in river Barak, others were fishermen by profession, who are trained in catching fish from river. They generally were themselves the owners of the boats. However, there were some more persons, who were rickshaw-pullers, vegetable & fish vendors who due to flood were out of work and hired boat on daily basis from others.

One such boatmen, named, Bishal Das, aged around 34, who is a rickshaw-puller by profession while interacting with way2barak said, “I stay at Malini Beel area. Our houses got flooded and we took shelter at a relief camp. As there was water in the streets of Silchar, I was unable to pull rickshaw. Then I met another man of my age at the relief centre, who told me that he knew a person who owns a boat and was willing to give it on rent. I took it to be an opportunity to earn some money to run my family at this hour of crisis. That person next day told me that he has hired the boat at a rate of Rs.4,000 per day. Both of us then started the temporary profession of boatmen.”

“It was a tough task. This time there was so much current in the water that it became very difficult to row the boat. On a day, we could hardly manage to go for maximum 2 to 3 trips. The maximum we earned per day was Rs, 6,000, out of which, we had to pay the rent of Rs. 4,000. After toiling the whole day, we earned a maximum amount of Rs.1,000 per head. Another day, we could earn only Rs.500 per head, after deducting the rent,” added Bishal.

Whatever, may be the reason behind the exorbitant fare charged by the boatmen, the fact remains that the common people were indeed baffled to pay the high rate. The exorbitant rate charged by boatmen during the devastating flood made lives more miserable in Silchar!

As the water level of river Barak again crossed the danger level on 3 July, 2022, people of Silchar are tensed. The footsteps of flood has made people sleepless. The concerned authorities are trying to save the dykes. However, they should also bear in mind that in case of any flood-like situation once again, the issue of boat fare should get addressed so that the common men may find some respite during the disaster.