No step yet to rebuild the devoured ferry terminal
The authorities are yet to take any steps for resumption of ferry service in Kazirhat-Paturia route more than a month after the Jamuna River devoured Kazirhat ferry terminal.
On July 20, the terminal went into the river, causing immense sufferings to the passengers and truckers in the route, said Md Abdul Jalil, manager of the terminal.
Earlier, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) on May 18 resumed the service that stopped due to river erosion in 2007. Planning Minister AK Khandaker inaugurated the ferry service.
Despite repeated requests from locals, BIWTC did not take any steps for resumption of the ferry service, said Jalil.
Md Shahdat Hossain, deputy general manger of BIWTC, said they informed the higher authorities about the matter but to no effect as yet.
Md Shahidul Islam, technical engineer at BIWTA, said that his office sent letters to the shipping ministry, seeking fund for rebuilding the terminal.
Over 100 Kilometer distance is saved on an average if a truck goes to Dhaka from Pabna and other northern districts through Kazirhat-Paturia route, sources said.
The service also saves the transport costs of the truckers who use the route instead of Jamuna Bridge, they said.
“At least 60 to 70 litres of fuel worth Tk 2500 to 3000 would be saved by each goods laden truck if the route reopens”, Abul Hossain Khan Mohon, president of Northern Region Truck Owners Association.
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