Shimulia-Kathalbari: Ferry service suspended indefinitely
Authorities have suspended the ferry service on Shimulia-Kathalbari route sine die due to poor navigability, causing immense suffering to passengers.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), the government body that operates ferry services, came up with the decision on Sunday evening around 6:30pm without any prior announcement.
Shimulia point is located in Munshiganj district while Kathalbari point is in Madaripur district.
As ferry services were suspended, many motorcyclists were seen crossing the Padma by boarding trawlers with their bikes.
"We could have crossed the river by Tk 70 in a ferry. Now we will have to pay around Tk 500 to Tk 600 to cross the river by a trawler," said a motorcyclist.
Besides, there was a huge flow of passengers, who were seen crossing the river by launches and speedboats.
Navigability problem has been intensifying over time thanks to continuous sedimentation, said BIWTA officials, adding that it has now become impossible to operate ferry services.
"Now, we are planning to operate ferry services through an alternative channel," said Saidur Rahman, additional chief engineer of BIWTA.
However, he could not be specific about when the service would be resumed.
Normally, 15 ferries run on Shimulia-Kathalbari route -- one of the major gateway to the southern districts. But the services were facing disruption over the last couple of months due to strong currents and navigability crisis.
Amid such a situation, authorities concerned were forced to shut down the services on September 3 for the same reason.
The service resumed on September 11, but ferries were facing difficulties while plying.
However, ferry services on another major route Paturai-Daulatdia were normal till yesterday, said officials concerned.
Around 150 vehicles were seen waiting at Paturia ghat area to board a ferry to cross the river, said Abdus Sattar, assistant general manager (Marine) of BIWTC Aricha Regional Office in Manikganj.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) is responsible for the maintenance of the ferry terminals.
"However, we think the pressure of vehicles will intensify in the coming days as ferry operations on the Shimulia-Kathalbari route have been suspended," he told The Daily Star, yesterday afternoon.
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