Last Minute Change of Plans: Chief Minister and Ministers Traveling by Boat Instead of Bus

15 December 2023, 08:26 AM IST • After the Navakerala audience at Vaikam, the bus in which the Chief Minister and other ministers are traveling is being taken to the toll booth at Jangar | Photo. G. Sivaprasad

Ratshakavad (Alappuzha): People gathered at the Ratsakadav jetty to see the New Kerala Volvo bus carrying the Chief Minister and ministers from Vaikat coming through Jangar at Vembanatukayal. However, everything changed at the last minute. The Chief Minister arrived in India’s first solar ferry ‘Aditya’. A few ministers came in Shikara boats. Four ministers came to Navakerala by bus.

The tour of Alappuzha district started at 5:30 on Thursday when the Navakerala bus and accompanying vehicles landed at the jetty. The first event was held at Arayankav in Arur Mandal. All over the backwater, fishermen held red balloons and colorful umbrellas to meet the ministers. As the Chief Minister and Ministers arrived, there was a sound of musical instruments and fireworks. LDF The leaders dressed in shawls and met the ministers on the soil of Alappuzha.

While the Chief Minister was giving a speech at Vaikom beach, Jankar had traveled three times to Thamkadu with 14 Innova cars and a Navakerala bus. Then when the Chief Minister came, he was boarding the solar boat. Four ministers arrived early in the bus. Others in shikara boats.

No specific reason was given for the last-minute change. The official explanation is that there were no security issues. Since it was announced that the entire cabinet will travel in Jangar, it is indicated that the police officials have decided that the travel by boat will also benefit the security.

Everything changed suddenly

The police and boat jetty staff were in distress. Thinking that the ministers would arrive at Jankar, there was not much preparation at the jetty. The district police chief also came to know about the arrival of the ministers at Shikaravallam around 2.45. Pilot vehicles were not prepared for the ministers who reached the first stage. Then, there was a rush to prepare the vehicle. The information that the Chief Minister was arriving in a solar boat was a secret. At three o’clock the jetty was roped in and the entry was blocked. Unaware of this, the passengers, including the students, were trapped.

The preparation started at half past three

The dog squad arrived at the boat jetty at half past three for inspection. Officials soon cleared the place. Paula in the lake was removed by a rescue boat. The small boats lined up in the lake were moved to one side. At 5:30, the Chief Minister and the ministers crossed Vembanatu Bay and reached Alappuzha district. The boat service resumed at six o’clock.

2023-12-15 02:56:00
#Navkerala #audience #Chief #Minister #countrys #solar #boat #ministers #Shikara #bus #Jankar