Ahead of the Raas festival in Majuli, the Jorhat unit of AASU on Thursday demanded the resumption of the RO-RO vessel service between Kamalabari Ghat and Nimati Ghat at the earliest. The Raas festival is scheduled to be held in Majuli for at least three days from November 11 and thousands are expected to throng the island.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, also the MLA of Majuli, inaugurated the Ro-Ro festival October 11 last year but due to technical snag, the Rs. 10 crore vessel has been lying idle for past 5 month. The vessel christened as MV Bhupen Hazarika, which was built by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) having a capacity to carry over 100 passengers along with eight trucks each weighing 25 tones or 25 small vehicles, had considerably cut down the travelling time between the Brahmaputra Island and mainland Jorhat.

The Jorhat unit of AASU submitted a memorandum to CMSonowal and Transport Minister through Jorhat district administration seekingresumption of the service with immediate effect.

Earlier, Majuli Deputy Commissioner Bikram Kairiinformed that he had taken up the matter at higher-ups in Dispur and Governmentwas in a touch with IWAI to repair the snag and resume the Ro-Ro service. TheIWAI had also assured urgent help before the Raas festival.