Prayagraj boatmen stare at piling losses as Covid-19 keeps visitors away from Sangam

PRAYAGRAJ: Around 75% of all the 1,500 boatmen in Prayagraj, who earn their livelihoods by catering to the pilgrims at Sangam, are living hand to mouth amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the absence of a large number of visitors who arrive at Sangam to take holy dips, boatmen continue to fight for their survival.
President of Navik Sangh District Prayagraj, Pappu Nishad said, “As the district authorities have allowed plying of boats only as per Covid protocol, the boatmen community are going through a crisis.”
He added that around 75% of the boatmen in Prayagraj are hardly able to manage two square meals a day by catering to the few visitors who arrive to immerse the mortal remains of their loved ones. These visitors usually arrive at the Sangam campus by their private vehicles.
“The strength of Sangam visitors won’t rise until trains start plying properly,” he added.
Nishad further said that the boatmen at Sangam are debt ridden and would reach the verge of starvation if the situation remains the same.
Even as district authorities have permitted the plying of boats, boatmen hardly find visitors. Unlock 1 and 2 have also failed to bring any relief to the boatmen community.
“Those boatmen who were earlier engaged in sand mining have already switched to MNREGS jobs since sand mining was restricted due to the pandemic. However, those engaged in rowing boats at Sangam don’t have any other option, 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. Boatmen look for visitors on various ghats,” said Birju, a boatman.
Another boatman, Pawan, said, “With the water level of Ganga and Yamuna rising, we won’t be able to ply our boats any soon. We don’t know how will we manage to provide for our families.”
The boatmen have also asked district authorities to clean Kali Ghat, located near Boat Club, as it is filled with mud and garbage.