New shoals have emerged in the riverbeds of Kirtonkhola, Arial khan, Kalabadar, Shikarpur, Hizla, Naya Bhanguni, Sugandhaya, Sandhaya and Meghna as the intensity of current of rivers decreased considerably, according to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Barisal Port authority and launch owners' association.

The rivers need immediate dredging, according to BIWTA Deputy Director Md Saiful Islam, also Port and Transport officer of Barisal. But it cannot be done due to fund constraints, he added.

The launch stations which have been closed are Bara Machhua of Mathbaria in Pirojpur, Kasherhut of Muladai, Bhabanipur and Dhamura of Wazirpur upazila in Barisal.

Navigability has been lost along three-kilometre area from Torki to Hosnabad in Gournadi upazila, four-kilometre area from Saheberhut to Tungibaria and Saheberhut to Lahurhut, half-a-kilometer area from Barisal launch ghat to fishing port, two-kilometre area from Dapdapia launch ghat to Mridhabari in Barisal Sadar upazila, four-kilometre area from Char Nainda to Rajapur, two-kilometre area from the eastern part Bholanath Char to its western part in Mehendiganj upazila, four kilometre area from Tengramari to South Vuterdia, five kilometre area from Mallikpur to Madhayerchar in Babuganj upazila, three kilometre area from Mahishakhola to Showla and Badartuni in Hizla and Muladi upazilas, one kilometre area from Banaripara town to launch ghat in Banaripara upazila and one kilometre area from Wazirpur town to launchghat.

The Deputy Commissioner of Barisal sent three letters to the concerned ministries and departments on different occasions for taking immediate steps to dredge the rivers. He sent a letter on December 29 last year and two other letters on January 8 and February 9 this year.

This situation is not only hampering river transportation, but also threatening the environment.