Passengers suffer as four launch ghats in awful state

Thousands of passengers are suffering a lot as two launch ghats (terminals) in Galachipa upazila under the district are virtually unusable while two others are lying without any approach road for long.

Over a thousand passengers move through Galachipa launch terminal to different destinations but there is no approach road or jetty there.

"We use this ghat to go the different places including Dhaka. During high tide we have to get on launches by country boat or trawler and during low tide we have to walk through mud on the river bank. Women and children have to suffer more," said Abu Bakar, a passenger of Charkhali area.

Md Rafiqul Islam, leaser of the launch ghat said, "The government earned Tk about 21 lakh this year from this ghat. Although there is no service we have to collect toll from the passengers as we paid lease money to the government."

In Pakkhia launch ghat on Galachipa-Charmontaz and Rangabali-Moudubi routes, a new pontoon was set up about two months ago but passengers cannot use it smoothly due to lack of approach road.

The only pontoon in Panpatti launch ghat became unusable as it got stuck on the ground during cyclone Roau.

"We have to pay toll of Tk 5 for each trip although there is no service at all. Over 80,000 people of all five unions of Rangabali upazila have to use this ghat to communicate with upazila and also district headquarters," said Mizanur Rahman Taslim, a schoolteacher of Rangabali area.

The pontoon at Bodnatali launch ghat sank into the river during the onslaught of Roanu.

Md Samsuzzaman Likon, Galachipa upazila parishad chairman, said we requested the authority concerned to take immediate steps to build approach roads in these launch ghats to mitigate passengers' sufferings but in vain.

Collecting toll from passengers at these ghats is unethical as there is no service, he added.

Contacted, AZM Shah Newaz Kabir, executive engineer of BIWTA (Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority), said they are setting up a new launch ghat in Galachipa town.

Md Rafiqul Islam, deputy director of conservancy and piloting department of BIWTA, said a new pontoon would be set up very soon at Badnatali launch ghat.

"Local UP chairman earlier assured us of building an approach road at Pakkhia launch ghat," he added.

The UP chairman, Md Hadi Khalifa said the approach road will be built after getting allocation for it.