People cross 'danger zone' by trawlers, boats in Bhola

Passengers get on two fishing trawlers at Hajirhat in Monpura upazila of Bhola to go to Tazumuddin of the district yesterday as sea truck service on the river route has remained suspended for 18 days since August 28. Photo: Star

A large number of people of Monpura and Tazumuddin suffer a lot as the sea truck service between the two upazilas has remained stopped for 18 days since August 28.

Though the authorities concerned enforced a ban on plying of small vessels on the river route for six months from March 15 to October 15, people are crossing the danger zone of the River Meghna in fishing trawlers and boats.

The sea truck service on the route came to a halt as the 25-year-old Sea-Truck 'ST Sheikh Jamal' went out of order due to mechanical problems.

Abdul Akkas, master of the sea truck, said several parts of the vessel got damaged and journey by it is very 'risky'.

Passengers travel in fishing trawlers or boats, taking risk of their lives as they have no other means of communication. The absence of sea truck service on the route added to the woes of the passengers.

“We cross the Meghna in fishing trawlers in the winter, but now it is very risky to cross the river in fishing trawlers or boats,” said Abdulla Jewel, a college teacher of Monpura.

Simanto Helal, a student of Bhola College, said people of Monpura and Tazumuddin face problem to take patients to Bhola or Barisal in trawlers or boats.

Contacted, Abdullahel Baki, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Monpura, said he informed BIWTA of the problem. “The authority concerned assured me that they would take immediate steps to resume sea truck service on the route,” the UNO said.