Gone are the busy days?
After Padma Bridge's opening for regular commute, launch owners saw a decline in passengers for the waterways.
This correspondent visited Sadarghat launch terminal in the capital yesterday and saw the numbers of launches and passengers have decreased.
The few passengers who were seen getting on launches did so for relaxation and avoiding the rush on the newly-inaugurated bridge.
Saidur Rahman, a passenger from Dhaka to Barguna's Kumrakhali, said, "The launch will take more time but we want to relax a bit. The buses will be crowded and it will be difficult travelling with the kids."
"I am happy that Padma Bridge has finally opened. But the rush is at the peak now, so I did not take the risk of going by road. But my family and I will be visiting our home through the bridge soon," said Md Atiqur, who was going to Barguna's Kakchira.
Sources in Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority's (BIWTA) Traffic Control Room said around 75 to 80 vessels leave from Sadarghat every day. There were 59 vessels leaving from Sadarghat on Sunday.
The major route of Sadarghat is Dhaka to Barishal. Around 8 to 9 vessels leave for Barishal every day. However, only two vessels left on Sunday.
Nizam Uddin, owner of Adventure Launch, told this correspondent that his company runs two launches to Barishal every day. However, on Sunday, they ran none on the route.
"It is too early to talk about the effects Padma Bridge is expected to have on our business. But it's true that the number of passengers saw a decline on Sunday as people are excited about the bridge and want to avail of its utilities," he said.
Alamgir Kabir, joint director of BIWTA and also the in-charge of the Sadarghat terminal, said the bus service on Padma Bridge would cast a significant impact on the waterways.
"There is no doubt about it. However, it is difficult to foresee the precise percentage at this very moment. We estimate that the number of passengers on the waterways will be reduced by about 20 to 25 percent."
"An alternative has been created with Padma Bridge in operation. Now commuters can go to the south taking a direct bus from Jatrabari and Sayedabad. Hence residents of those areas willing to go to the south will naturally not want to come to Sadarghat."
"However, this is not applicable for cargo vessels. The goods that used to come to Dhaka taking the water route will continue to do so," he added.
Prince Awlad Hossain, convener of Bangladesh Inland Waterways Passenger Carriers Association and owner of MV Prince Awlad Launch, said, "We are charging less than buses on the Padma Bridge route. I hope Padma Bridge will not have a significant impact on the passengers of the waterway."
Comments