PRAYAGRAJ: Around 75% of all the 3,000 boatmen in Sangam city, who earn their livelihoods by catering to the pilgrims and other visitors at Sangam and other ghats, are finding it difficult to arrange two square meals of the day.
Despite the lifting of restrictions since June 1, there are still very few visitors who arrive at Sangam, leaving the boatmen community in a fix.
President of Navik Sangh of Prayagraj district, Pappu Nishad, told TOI on Monday, “Although the district authorities have allowed plying of boats while ensuring adherence to Covid protocol since June 1, the boatmen community are still reeling under a financial crisis in the absence of visitors.” He added, “Due to the Covid scare, devotees from neighbouring states and southern states, who used to visit Sangam every year, are nowhere to be seen.
The livelihoods of the boatmen of Prayagraj solely depended on them.” “The strength of Sangam visitors won’t rise until trains start running to religious spots like Prayagraj.
Apart from being debt-ridden, the boatmen at Sangam might reach the verge of starvation if the situation remains the same,” said Nishad.
Around 1,500 boats have permission to ply on Sangam, and at least two boatmen work on a single boat.
As per the Covid protocol, only five people are allowed to sit on a single boat, and use of mask and sanitizer as well as following social distancing are mandatory.