To get to the other side: Preparations to re-launch ‘Indus Queen’ afloat

100-year-old ferry service to be resumed in Rajanpur by mid-Feb.

RAJANPUR:

The district government has completed arrangements to operate a 100-year-old ferry called the ‘Indus Queen’ to facilitate people in the Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan districts.

According to local officials, the Nawab of Bahawalpur Subh Sadiq had gifted the ferry to Khawaja Ghulam Farid of Kot Mithan a hundred years ago. The vessel was used to transport devotees of Hazrat Khawaja Ghulam Farid across the river and also for food and goods trade. “Hundreds of people used the ferry daily and many have longed for the service to be introduced again. That is why we decided to resume the service,” said Rajanpur district coordination officer (DCO) Ghazi Amanullah.

The ferry service served as a bridge between the Rahim Yar Khan district and Kot Mithhan, where a permanent bridge is still missing despite promises by several governments.

“These people have been waiting for a bridge so they can have easy access to the areas. But each year the project is dropped on the pretext of lack of funds,” said tehsil municipal administration (TMA) official Sabir Chohan.

The original ‘Indus Queen’ had its own restaurant as well as the capacity to serve a meal to 400 passengers at a time. About 40 years ago, the ferry caught fire and the service was suspended. People had started to use a makeshift bridge, which recently collapsed. When contacted, the Rajanpur DCO said that the district government had completed arrangements to resume operation of the service. “A special team comprising of XEN (R) Highway Sultan Mehmood and district officer (DO) Planning Saifur Rehman are working tirelessly for the earliest possible restoration of the service,” he said, adding “we expect the ferry to resume service by the end of next month.

The DCO stated that paper work was nearly complete and project reports were being sent to the chief secretary regularly.

“Tenders have been floated and work will begin soon,” he added.

Khawaja Farid Foundation leader Khawaja Kaleemuddin Korija appreciated the effort of the district government in this regard and vowed to extend full cooperation to the district government in this regard.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2012.