GUWAHATI: The proposed app based river taxi services from the city to North Guwahati and Palashbari in Kamrup district will take some time to materialise with the Assam government calling for expressions of interest from various app-based transport service providers.
It may be recalled that cab hailing company, Ola had in February this year signed a MoU with the state government to pilot an app-based river taxi service with an aim to strengthen the transportation ecosystem in the capital city.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Assam inland water transport department director, B.B. Dev Choudhury said that expressions of interests were called from various agencies be examined a following which they would be evaluated.
“The MoU was inked with Ola during the Advantage Assam global investors’ summit here in February. But it does not mean that the services will have to be given to Ola only. The agency that quotes the lowest fare will be selected,” he said.
The IWT director informed that Ola had after inking the pact examined some river routes and subsequently three routes – Guwahati-North Guwahati, Lachit Ghat (Machkhowa) to Umananda (Peacock Island), and Guwahati-Palashbari were selected.
“Accordingly Ola have suggested a fare structure which is being examined now,” Dev Choudhury said.
Asked by when the public can avail of the river taxi service, he said that routes on the Brahmaputra during both the flood and the lean seasons have to thoroughly examined before such a service can be given the go ahead.
“Six months have passed since the pact with Ola was signed. Now with the monsoon season on, the routes are being examined and it will take another four-five months to examine the same during the dry season,” the IWT director said.
The river taxis, which are machine-operated boats, will cut down commute time to North Guwahati to about 5 minutes from 45 minutes by road.
Moreover app-based bookings will enable advance bookings and cashless payments, ensuring a convenient commuting experience besides boosting local transportation infrastructure and economy.