In Manikganj, to tackle transmission of coronavirus, the authorities concerned have decided to suspend ferry services on Paturia-Daulatdia route following a rise in the number of vehicles on the route.

Sources at Paturia Ghat, said the plying of personal vehicles, microbus, motorbike has risen recently as people are going to their village home from Dhaka on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

In an effort to leave Dhaka, people have thronged to the Paturia ferry ghat for going to the southern-western region of the country, violating the government’s directive.

The government has recently issued a directive asking citizens to refrain from travelling between districts to prevent spread of coronavirus.

Besides, the movement of public transport remained suspended since March 16.

According to the Aricha ghat office of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), people reached the Paturia ghat by hiring other vehicles including private car and pick-up and microbus.

In this situation, the authorities concerned have suspended ferry services from 11 pm on Sunday while the operation of five ferries are on for crossing goods-laden vehicles.

Later, following the request of the police administration, the operation of ferry services were suspended from Monday noon.

Zillur Rahman, acting deputy manager of BIWTC Aricha ghat, said some people were seen coming to the ghat area by private car till Monday noon.

Some 200 vehicles were sent back to their destinations, he said.

Rifat Rahman, superintendent of Manikganj police said, a check-post was set up at Golra area on Dhaka-Aricha highway to prevent movement of people.

Vehicles for emergency services and daily essentials are allowed to go and enter, he said.

Police are performing their duties on Dhaka-Aricha highway.

In Munshiganj, the authorities concerned have suspended the ferry services on Shimulia-Kathalbari route from Monday afternoon due to prevent people’s movement through ferry.

Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, assistant manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), said the operation of ferry services on Shimulia-Kathalbari route came to halt from 3 pm on Monday, fearing rapid transmission of coronavirus as people have recently came to the ghat area for going to their respective destinations ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr.

However, vehicles carrying dead bodies can be allowed to cross the river after talking with the higher authorities concerned, he said.

During a visit to the Dhaka-Mawa highway on Monday, it was seen that the law enforcers had set up a number of check-posts forcing people to return home or where theyn came from.

Sirajul Kabir, in-charge of Mawa River Police, said “Due to cyclone ‘Amphan’ the authorities concerned have operated ferry services in a limited scale and they are operating only four ferries. But as the authorities are struggling with the home-bound people, they decided to suspend ferry services, causing immense sufferings to the passengers who waited for crossing river for long time.”

Also read: Coronavirus: Strict monitoring on highways to prevent transport movement ahead of Eid