Hundreds of vehicles waiting to cross Padma at Banglabazar ghat

More than 200 vehicles, including private cars, were waiting at Banglabazar ghat in Madaripur to cross the Padma this afternoon.

The river route has been witnessing crowds of holidaymakers returning to Dhaka following Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations since morning, reports our Munshiganj correspondent. However, there is no pressure of vehicles at Shimuliaghat in Munshiganj and Majhikandi Ghat in Shariatpur.

Besides, huge numbers of Dhaka-bound motorcycles were awaiting to cross the river at Banglabazar.

Crowds of Dhaka-bound people were seen on launch and speedboats also.

A total of 10 ferries, 85 launches and 155 speedboats were plying on the Shimulia-Majhikandi and Banglabazar river routes, around 12:30pm.

Jamal Hossain, manager (trade) of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) in Shimuliaghat, said around 100 private vehicles were seen waiting at Shimuliaghat from 6:30am to 12 noon. These south-bound vehicles could cross the river in six hours.

Md Salauddin, manager of BIWTC's Jazira's Majhikandi and Banglabazar Ghat, said there is pressure of private vehicles at Banglabazar Ghat. About 200 cars are waiting. There is also pressure of motorcycles on the ferries. The pressure of vehicles increased than yesterday.

However, he said it is possible to handle the pressure as it is at a tolerable level still.

He added that there is no vehicular pressure at Majhikandi ghat as this route is still unknown to many.

Md Suleiman, inspector of BIWTA's Shimuliaghat, said there was no pressure of country's south-bound passengers on launch and speedboat at Shimuliaghat.

However, crowds of Dhaka-bound passengers are forming at the ghat, added the official.