As Punjab grapples with its worst floods since 1988, boats have become critical for reaching stranded communities. A Kapurthala-based company, Hanspal Traders, typically known for manufacturing railway coach parts for the Rail Coach Factory, has stepped up to produce boats to aid relief and rescue operations across the state’s flood-ravaged regions.

Pritpal Singh Hanspal, the firm’s owner, described his efforts as "sewa" (voluntary service), supplying boats to support those navigating the deluge. "In just one week, we’ve provided 50 boats," Hanspal told PTI, noting the surge in demand due to high water levels in affected villages.

To expand the relief effort, Hanspal has shared the boat’s design and drawings publicly, enabling small factories and iron grill manufacturers to produce them. A standard boat can carry 8-10 people, while a larger model, called a "berra", with a 20-tonne capacity, is being developed to evacuate farmers and livestock to safety.

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Despite 60 per cent of his workforce being on leave due to the floods, Hanspal’s team continues production. The firm also supplied boats during the 2023 Punjab floods, showcasing its commitment to community support.

Punjab’s current crisis, triggered by heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, has swollen the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, along with seasonal rivulets. Additional rains in Punjab have worsened the situation, claiming 37 lives, affecting over 3.55 lakh people, and destroying crops across 1.75 lakh hectares, according to officials.

The worst-hit districts include Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, and Amritsar, where villages and farmlands are submerged under 8-10 feet of water. Boats remain the only viable means to deliver relief supplies and rescue stranded residents.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, Border Security Force, Punjab Police, district authorities, Sikh organisations, and NGOs are actively engaged in relief operations, deploying boats to reach affected areas. Hanspal Traders’ contribution has bolstered these efforts, providing a lifeline to communities battling one of Punjab’s most severe flood disasters in decades.

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