Halting river route to build bridge

Since Friday morning, navigation on Galachipa-Dhaka river route has remained suspended for constructing a bridge over Lohalia river, adjacent to Patuakhali town.

The stoppage came into effect as per instructions of Patuakhali district administration, whereby all naval services, including four double-decker launches that ply the route, have ceased operation. As a result, passengers of Galachipa and Rangabali upazilas of the district have been suffering, with traders in the area particularly hurt over the disruption of goods transportation.

"I buy goods from Dhaka, transport them by launch and sell them at Galachipa. But movement on the route has completely ceased, while transportation costs are also increasing," said a frustrated Abdur Rahman, a trader from Galachipa town.

According to locals, Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) started constructing the 576.25-metre long and 9.65-metre wide bridge over Lohalia at a cost of Tk 47.19 crore, with the aim to improve road connectivity with Bhola district. The bridge is expected to be completed by December this year.

On February 20, a decision was taken at a meeting of Patuakhali District Development Coordinating Committee to halt navigation on Galachipa-Dhaka route for at least two and a half months to accommodate construction of the bridge's middle part.

Later on March 9, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Kamal Hossain sent a letter to the assistant director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) in Patuakhali to stop launch movement on the route, after which the decision was enforced on Friday morning.

Given this, passengers are now being dropped off at Patuakhali launch  terminal, which means they have to get on auto-rickshaws, buses, and other vehicles to reach Galachipa, which is some 20 km away. This has become a cause for misery for commuters, especially the elderly, children and patients who ply the route.

Contacted, Patuakhali BIWTA deputy director Mohiuddin Khan said the higher authorities have been informed of this issue, adding that discussions are underway with all departments concerned, including the district administration, to keep the route operational.

However,  Rahat Hossain, contractor of Lohalia Bridge works and supervisor of Nabarun Traders, said, "The works are scheduled to be completed by December. Creating a separate diversion route will be costly and time consuming. In addition, it is important to stop launch movement on the route to reduce the risk involved in construction work."

Ali Azgar Mia, owner of MV Pubali-5 launch, which plies on the route, said given the passengers' woe, the route needs to be kept active.

Contacted, Patuakhali DC  Kamal Hossain said, "Considering the risk, we have decided to temporarily stop the naval route. However, we will reconsider whether there can be an alternative route to use for this duration."