Shoals in Jamuna hamper boat movement in Bogra

Passengers and traders on goods-laden boats, that were stuck in the shoal of Deluabari Char in Bogra, wading through the water to their destination. PHOTO: STAR

Vast shoals emerging in the Jamuna River in Shariakandi upazila are seriously hampering movement of boats on 12 routes between Shariakandi and Madarganj of Jamalpur district.
Thousands suffer while agro-product traders and emergency patients bear the brunt of the problem.  
Sources said, earlier boat movement was suspended due to shoals on Dighapara and Chakarothinath-Kornipara Nayapara naval routes.
People of at least 75 char (landmass emerged from river) areas have to incur a huge loss as the movement of different water transports, especially boats, carrying different agro-products like seeds, plants, fertiliser, chilly and other vegetables has come to a halt on several routes due to the situation.
Octogenarian Jamal Uddin of the area said, huge quantities of sediment from the upstream were filling up the river for the last several days.
During a recent visit to Deluabari char, two kilometers off Shariakandi Kalitola point, this correspondent found over 10 boats got stuck in shoals in the river.
The boats were heading for Madarganj and Islampur of Jamalpur and Shimultair, Chalitabari, Manikdair, Dakatmara, Pakuria, Shanpoca, Tengrakura, Jamthoil and Bouladanga of Bogra.
Rafiqul Islam, a resident of Deluabari char area, said as the number of boats is on the decline, the passengers often suffer for taking a long way to reach their destinations.
Besides, hidden shoals sometimes break the fan of shallow-machine run boats, adding to the sufferings, he said.
Another resident, Anisur Rahman of Nandinar char, said he cultivated more than 40 bighas of land. “But I cannot sell the products due to suspension of boat movement because of shoals,” he said.
Contacted, Shariakandi UNO Shakil Mahmud, terming it a seasonal problem due to lack of water, said the upazila administration at the moment had nothing to do in this regard.