Boat capsizes in Brahmaputra, many missing
Guwahati, Sep 5 : Many passengers on board a boat were reported missing on Wednesday after it capsized in the Brahmaputra river in Assam.
The Kamrup Metro district administration confirmed the incident but could not say if anyone had died. A search operation was on.
Witnesses said they saw several passengers from the ferry trying to swim to the shore.
According to one account, there were about 60 people on the boat including some children and women. The vessel was also transporting some motorcycles.
The boat was on its way to Madhyam Khanda in North Guwahati from Guwahati. The Brahmaputra is in spate due to monsoon rains in the upper reaches of Arunachal Pradesh.
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Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar hints at water tariff hike by one paisa/litre in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has indicated that a water tariff hike in Bengaluru is imminent, with a potential increase of one paisa per litre.
The revision, he stated, is necessary to fund upcoming phases of the Cauvery water supply project. However, he assured that the government is committed to ensuring that it does not burden the public.
Shivakumar emphasized that the increase is essential to address the massive losses incurred by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), which is reportedly losing over Rs 1,000 crore annually. "The tariff revision is unavoidable. We must raise the water rate by at least one paisa per litre. However, we have instructed BWSSB to implement this increase in a way that minimises the impact on citizens," he said.
Despite criticism over recent back-to-back price hikes on various services and commodities by the state government, Shivakumar stood firm on the need for the water tariff revision. He added that before the hike takes effect, there would be efforts to raise awareness among the public about the importance of water conservation.
Shivakumar also responded to the BJP's opposition to the tariff increase. He asserted that when they reduced electricity prices, the BJP remained silent. “If they are concerned about citizens' livelihoods, they should first focus on reducing the costs of essentials like petrol, diesel, and animal feed," he said. He further pointed out that despite recent price increases, the prices of milk and curd in Karnataka remain lower compared to other states.
