The Works

| 2002 |

Crew, public voice doubts about RND guidelines

At about 2.30 pm exactly a month ago, three loaded tempos, 10 two-wheelers and about 35 passengers entered the ferry Vagator at Tonca-Marcel, which was proceeding to Sarmanas-Bicholim.

The overloaded ferry never made it to its destination and capsized in the river, barely 50 metres from the Sarmanas ramp.One person died in the mishap, while other passengers struggled for their lives, before they either swam to safety or were rescued from the river.

The Sarmanas ferry mishap spurred the River Navigation Department (RND) to issue a series of circulars to the 350-odd ferry staff, in an effort to ensure the safety and efficiency of ferries along all 22 routes in the State.

“The safety of commuters and efficiency of ferries is of paramount importance and issuing of such instructions to the crew is one such step in this direction,” justified Captain of Ports A Mascarenhas.

The RNDs instructions, which were published in Herald last week, provoked sharp reaction from a number of commuters and ferry crew members who dismissed the department’s initiative as a futile exercise.

Most complained that such circulars could not be implemented as the RND had not taken into account the ground reality of ferry services in the State.

A ferry crew member along the Aldona-Corjuem route complained that some rules have been unfair to them.

“We have been made responsible for any damage caused to ferries and at the same time, have been warned against overloading of ferries. If we are to allow only a few vehicles in the ferry, we have to make a greater number of trips across the river. But this leads to increased wear and tear of the ferry. We will be held guilty in either case,” lamented the crew member.

Kishore Tuyekar, a bank employee from Pernem, claims that the circular issued to the ferry staff is a paper tiger.

“The RND does not have proper control over its workers who are located in different routes in the State. Instead of curbing malpractices, RND officials simply issue circulars and have effectively shifted the responsibility on other shoulders,” said Tuyekar.

A ferry crew member on the Siolim-Chopdem route has been unhappy with the circulars which were sent to him.

“Very often, it is difficult to control commuters from entering into a crowded ferry. People become agitated if the ferry is delayed or if there is a ferry breakdown. At that time, everyone is in a hurry and no one will listen to the ferry crew,” complained the staffer.

“If we don’t allow the overcrowded ferry to move from the ramp, this could only aggravate the situation and could create further chaos, since scores of commuters would be stranded for no fault of theirs,” he adds.

Some coxswains strongly recommended that a armed guard should be posted at each ferry ramp to deal with law and order problem.

“Scuffles between the commuters and the crew have taken place in the past, resulting into assaults on both sides,” remarks a coxswain along the Divar-Old Goa route.

Capt Mascarenhas however insists that the responsibility to prevent an overcrowded ferry from leaving the ramp lies solely with the crew.

“The crew should do all within the means to prevent overloading of ferry. If the crowd persists and if the crew has exhausted all its means, then the crew should leave the ferry and inform the police,” advises Capt Mascarenhas.

“If the problem persists especially during peak hours,” he adds, “then the police will definitely monitor the law and order problem at the ferry ramp during the heavy rush hours.”

But then, the commotion at a crowded ferry ramp can affect the men-in-uniform as well.

Like commuters who flout rules in order to rush into a ferry, policemen sometimes lose sight of reason — and position.

In an incident which was reported in the Herald last month, two constables entered into a scuffle, after one cop prevented the another who tried to enter into a ferry by allegedly jumping the queue.

Some commuters from Pernem insist that overloading of ferries generally takes place due to shortage of ferries.

“Due to lack of sufficient ferries, long queues are seen on both sides of the river. It is but natural that commuters will rush into a ferry. It is then difficult to expect them to get off a ferry and wait for the next ferry,” opines a commuter, Hari Parsekar.

Capt Mascarenhas refutes this claim and insists that all ferries plying along the routes are seaworthy.

“There are enough seaworthy ferries on all routes in the State. If there is any complaint of a ferry which is out of order, the department takes only 24 hours to assess the situation. If necessary, the ferry will be replaced within two or three days,” assures Cap Mascarenhas.

A motorcycle pilot from Pernem, Vijay Naik, however points out to another problem, which may have been overlooked by the RND.

“Various types of animals like pigs, dogs and cattle are brought into the ferries, causing inconvenience to other commuters in the ferry. The RND has not imposed any restriction on this,” noted the motorcycle pilot.

He also feels that the number of people travelling by ferries increases during festivals.

“When one ferry breaks down, there is a heavy rush on the other ferries. All circulars become useless in such cases,” says Naik.

Another resident, Pundalik Naik Shirodkar of Shiroda, also expressed similar views.

“So far, there has been no implementation of the instructions issued by the RND. Have you ever seen ferry crew helping handicapped and aged commuters?

“Has there been any improvement in the revenue collection? Definitely not, since most of the passengers also encourage corruption by not demanding ticket and paying less in return,” adds Shirodkar.

There are a few commuters who are satisfied with the RND’s enthusiasm to work towards the safety of ferries.

“I am happy that the RND has issued the instructions to the ferry crew in an effort to make the ferry service safer to passengers,” says Sunil Sawant of Donkhamb-Kavalem, a regular commuter on the Durbhat-Rasaim ferry.

But Sawant is quick to be skeptical about the implementation of the rules.

“How far it can be implemented is left to be seen. All guidelines were issued in the past, but were not being followed. For instance, there is no check on the crew not wearing uniforms and on those not issuing tickets. Even on the Durbhat-Rasaim route, some crew members do not issue tickets to all members,” notes Sawant.

Some ferry staff admit being lax about wearing of uniforms. “After all, we are regularly paid washing allowance and we should all wear uniforms,” agrees a coxswain on the Divar-Old Goa route.

Capt Mascarenhas sums up the debate with a piece of advice to commuters and the ferry crew.

“As is rightly pointed out, it is indeed a problem to implement all the instructions. But it all depends on the co-operation of the people and the ferry staff. And this is an ongoing process,” insists Capt Mascarenhas.

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