Punt services back across river Godavari after engine trouble

Ferry (also known as punt) operations resumed across the river Godavari between Narsapuram in West Godavari district and Sakhinetipalli Revu in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district on Monday, a day after operations were halted when the lone punt got stuck mid-river due to a technical problem. 

A major mishap was averted after the punt driver, locally known as Sarangi, sounded an alert immediately after noticing a technical problem in the engine. Around 80 passengers were aboard the punt when it stalled while crossing the river Godavari from Narasapuram to Sakhinetipalli Revu. 

Narsapuram Circle Inspector B. Yadagiri told The Hindu “The punt was stranded in the river from around 11 a.m. on Sunday. However, it was brought back to the Narsapuram bank, where it was repaired and it resumed operations on Monday.”

A private operator who won the bid, operates the punt across the river daily, enabling thousands of locals to cross the river Godavari for their daily needs.