Passengers, especially women and children suffered, as they had to wait in buses for hours amid hot weather.

When contacted, Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, deputy general manager (Commercial) of BIWTC, Aricha Zone, said the temporary traffic jam was created as six out of twelve ferries plying the route were sent for repair.

There is also heavy pressure of trucks from the southwestern region, he said.

The number of stranded vehicles on both sides of the ferry ghat might increase during the night, adding to the sufferings of the travellers, sources said.