People pay extra toll as govt rate ignored

Launch passengers, specially the Eid returnees, are forced to pay increased toll at different launch terminals and Kheya ghats (landing stations) in the district as the lessees are charging extra money, ignoring the fixed rate.

Apart from Patuakhali launch terminal, there are no rate charts at the terminals which allow the corrupt toll collectors to do the illegal business the way they like, many passengers complained.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority fixed Tk 5 for Patuakhali launch terminal and Tk 3 for 32 other listed terminals in the district as toll for each passenger.

But since the beginning of the Eid holidays the lessees of the 32 terminals are charging Tk 10 from each passenger, without providing any money receipt, said locals..

A number of passengers said people are harassed by the lessee's men if they refuse to pay the extra money.

Forkan Molla of Dhankhali village in Kalapara upazila said, “I have to go to nearby Rangabali upazila and the district town by crossing the Ramnabad river, but the lessee's men collects the toll without giving any money receipt.”

During spot visits, this correspondent found similat situation in Galachipa, Panpattee, Char Kajol, Char Montaj, Boga, Kalaiya, Bashbaria, Chargorobdi, Patua, Mirzaganj launch terminals.

Lessee of Nurainpur launch terminal Farid Hossain said he collects Tk 5 instead of Tk 3 as all the other lessees do the same.

Khwaja Sadiqur Rahman, port officer in Patuakhali, said they will take legal action if anyone complains of collection of any extra tolls in the launch terminals.