Gangasagar pilgrims stranded as ferry runs aground protests on streets

• A ferry boat with 400 pilgrims grounded off Namkhana in the Kakdwip area near Gangasagar after Makar Sankranti 
• The Indian Coast Guard launched a major rescue operation, deploying hovercrafts from Haldia to rescue stranded pilgrims
• Vessel movement services were suspended for four to five hours, leading to protests, road blockages, and further disruptions due to dense fog in the region

In a harrowing incident, a ferry boat carrying 400 pilgrims ran aground off Namkhana in the Kakdwip area near Gangasagar pilgrimage. The pilgrims, returning from Gangasagar after a holy dip on Makar Sankranti, faced difficulty as poor visibility led to the grounding of their boat in the Ganges.

The Indian Coast Guard promptly initiated a major rescue operation, deploying hovercrafts from Haldia to the site.

The stranded passengers were taken to lot eight after the rescue, but vessel movement services remained suspended for about four to five hours in the Muriganga river on Monday night. The situation led to protests as people, unable to return home, blocked roads and stopped administration vehicles. Though traffic eventually returned to normal, ferry services were suspended again on Tuesday morning due to dense fog, affecting transportation in the region.