Manikganj: The plying of water vessels in the river Padma near Paturia ghat is at stake, as navigability in the river of Padma between Paturia and Daulatdia ghats dwindles on a rapid decline of the water level.
Consequently, ferries are risking accidents and frequently being stuck in shoals. About 1,000 vehicles were seen waiting on both sides of the river on Tuesday. Ferry crisis and bad weather created a huge traffic jam at both the ghats. Several hundred vehicles, including buses, were stranded on both the sides of the river for hours causing immense sufferings to passengers, especially women and children.The Water Development Board showed the February 21 water level at Aricha point at 2.52 centimetres, which made the navigability perilous. It causes a regular traffic congestion on both sides — Paturia ghat in Manikganj and Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) began dredging of the river targeting removal of 15 lakh cubic metres of sediments.
The government allocated Tk 156 per cubic metre of sediment. Two BIWTA dredgers are working on smoothening the route. On the ferry crisis, Ashraf Ullah Khan, BIWTC manager (Commerce), said the crisis turned worse when two ferries—Bir Shrestha Jahangir and Bir Shrestha Hamidur Rahman—became inoperative on Monday.
The ferry service is under a pressure of excess transports due to the ‘urs’ at Biswa Jaker Monjil at Atroshi in Faridpur, Khan pointed out. He said a ferry could carry 20 trucks or big size buses when there is sufficient water in the channel. Now, a ferry is carrying 10/12 trucks or seven big size passenger buses for the lack of the navigability.
