Manpower shortage cripple Barisal R&H ferry division

A total of 63 posts, out of 87 of Barisal Roads and Highways ferry division, have been lying vacant since long hampering ferry service in the region.
Revealing the fact executive engineer's office of ferry division said that there are 36 ferry stations under this division.
These ferry stations have 72 ferries and 72 pontoons and gangways for river crossing, loading and unloading of transports and passengers.
Only 24 officials and employees have been working against 87 sanctioned posts for running these 36 ferry stations.
The vacant posts included sub-divisional engineer, cutting and analyzing officer, assistant traffic officer, senior accounts assistant, office assistants, drivers, job clerk, head mechanic, assistant mechanic, electrician, welder, assistant welder, blacksmith, assistant blacksmith, carpenter, painter, foreman, assistant foreman, heavy transport driver, store keeper, helper, MLSS, binder, chowkidar and sweeper.
Ferry operation is often being disrupted or delayed due to poor maintenance, overloading and manpower crisis.
Official sources said, at least 20, out of 72 ferries, were severely damaged by the cyclone Sidr and a demand note of Tk 8 crore for repairing and transformation of these ferries has been sent to Dhaka.
However, some ferries, pontoons and gangways are lying in damaged condition due to lack of fund and workforce, said M Abul Kalam Khan, executive engineer of the division.