Risky journey on Shitalakhhya

Travelling by ferries may sound exciting! But one needs to think twice before travelling in a ferry across the Shitalakhhya river.

Two vessels now ply this vital river route every day with a single engine each, escalating risks of accidents at Murapara-Rupganj point in Rupganj upazila.

Visiting the ferry ghats and talking to some drivers and passengers, the news agency found that the ferries have four engines in total but two remain out of order most of the time for which the vessels continue to jerk while moving.

Dhaka-bound passengers from 17 districts cross the Shitalakkhya every day and have to wait for hours due to technical glitches of the two 28-year-old vessels, which require frequent repairing.

Thousands of passengers from the 17 districts, particularly Cumilla, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Moulvibazar and Sunamganj are using this route to enter the capital.

A good number of drivers and passengers said they use this river-route instead of Dhaka-Sylhet highway to avoid hassles as the work on Bhulta flyover is underway.

“We’re following rules, paying fares regularly, but the journey is not safe. The authorities concerned should take steps immediately. Why should we continue to suffer?” said an aggrieved bus driver.

According to official sources, the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) arranged the two ferries on the Shitalakkhya [Murapara-Rupganj Sadar] to facilitate communication between Dhaka and some 17 districts.

Each year, they lease out the vessels to different contracting firms. Currently, they are leased out to one Samar Ali Sardar, owner of Sumon Enterprise.

Contacted, Samar Ali said, “When I inform the authorities concerned about the problems, they come up with temporary solutions. But due to rundown condition of the ferries, new problems arise and people continue to bear the brunt of the situation.”

Sub-divisional engineer of district RHD Shakhawat Hossain said, “We’ve discussed the problem. It’ll be resolved soon.”

UNO Momtaz Begum said steps will be taken soon to mitigate people’s sufferings.