“India is another country. They do things differently there. Long cars get taken cross-wise on narrow boats. The rock wedges by the wheels are India’s nod to health and safety.” Rupert Grey on loading his Rolls on to the ferry
Ships, boats, ferries, planks are an integral part of the Brahmaputra. There are only three bridges on the river, whose entire length spans 2900 kms !
The one at Sariaghat, near Guwahati, Assam has a rail bridge. Currently this is the only railway link to the all north eastern states of India. A fourth bridge is under construction at Dibrugarh and will be a road cum rail.
Thousands of people still cross the river daily to go to work, school, shops or to get medical aid. Hence it is a common site to see ferries filled with people, motorbikes, cycles, live stock, daily shopping that varies from vegetables, large Godrej cupboards to vehicles of all kinds.
The Kaziranga sanctuary also relies on boats donated by the International fund for animal welfare and wildlife trust of India to rescue animals during floods and move them to safety.
I have put together some visuals that tell a wonderful story.
On a family picnic
Ferry crossing
Fishing boats at the onslaught of the Monsoon
A pilot boat
At Kaziranga, boats to help rescue animals during floods
Cruise ship
Brahmaputra-cruise-tour
Local fishing boat near Guwahati
Image source & credits -rupertgrey.co.uk; american edu;wti.org.in;dymusings.files.wordpress.com; the hindu.com;google.co.in;si.wsj.net;
The Curtain Call 
Really nice topic to write about. The diversity of all kinds of life and water machines in the Brahmaputra basin is ever fascinating.
Thank you,yes its a very fascinating river and i am really like your images of the river.hope it turns into a book sometime in the near future.
Definitely, a book on the river would be great!
A very cool idea, will keep you posted on ideas for it
Lessons learned here are not matched by Lonely Planet. Thank you. Great photos too.
thanks, yes these are life lessons!
love the way you have depicted the Mighty Brahmaputra. great pictures.
Thank you Kashmiri
Would love to go with you Julie on one of these water crafts:) beautifully captured!! Loving your blog!! Kudos!!
Thanks Harshita,
Yes lets plan a trip to Assam together, I normally go every winter in December
Fascinating stuff…lots of Landing crafts from WW2 were shipped in for inland water transport and are still being used…love to drift/sail down the river…Mark Shands books “River Dog” details that so well…
yes there are lots of stories to tell about the river, hope to do more as time goes by.. enjoyed reading mark Shands book.