A large number of daily passengers in Guwahati are facing major inconvenience as ferry services between Guwahati and North Guwahati have been suspended due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Assam and his river-based ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ programme on the Brahmaputra. The suspension, imposed for security reasons, has again raised questions about the government’s priorities and preparedness when hosting high-profile events.
According to officials, all private ferry boats, including passenger vessels and small boats, have been ordered to halt services from December 20 until noon of December 21. The Inland Water Transport (IWT) Division has issued strict instructions to stop movement across the river during this period. Copies of the order have been sent to river police, regulatory authorities and enforcement teams.
However, passengers who depend on ferries for daily work, school, and medical needs say they feel ignored. They argue that the government should have arranged alternative services before cancelling the only affordable transport link for thousands. Many people who travel between the two banks every day said the order came without consultation or prior planning. Several commuters waiting near the ghats asked why ordinary citizens must bear the burden of tight security arrangements. 
The Prime Minister is scheduled to interact with a group of 25 to 30 students aboard a special vessel on the Brahmaputra under the government’s flagship initiative, ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’. A specially prepared vessel named ‘Charaideo–II (WB 1734)’ has been readied exclusively for the programme. Elaborate security measures have been imposed near Fancy Bazar and along the riverfront areas of the city. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the area to review preparations.
The opposition and several civic groups say that while interaction with students is welcome, shutting down ferry services across a major river for almost two days shows poor planning and disregard for people’s needs. Critics point out that the government could have used alternative routes or provided temporary arrangements rather than bringing daily life to a halt. Many question why authorities continue to impose blanket security restrictions without considering the livelihood of common citizens.
