Around 6000 vehicles, including local and long-route buses, were seen stranded from Savar’s Nabinagar to Manikganj’s Paturia ghat.

On the opposite side, hundreds of Dhaka-bound cattle-laden trucks were waiting in long queues. 

Having no option in hand, a good number of passengers were seen to walk on foot around 30km distance to Paturia Ghat.

Jillur Rahman, deputy general manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), blamed inadequate ferry services, slow movement of ferries amid heavy current and excessive pressure of home-bound people for the situation.

“No additional ferry was deployed on the route as the old ferries don’t have the capacity to run amid strong current in the river,” he said, adding that a total of 16 ferries are now transporting vehicles on the Daulatdia-Paturia route.

He also mentioned an excessive number of passengers are hopping on ferries to cross the river leaving no room for vehicles. “Law enforcers are struggling to control the situation,” he added.

Rifat Rahman Shamim, superintendent of Manikganj district police, said they are trying their best to improve the situation.

Law enforcers are clearing ways for the cattle laden trucks on priority basis considering traders’ risk of losses, he added.

Talking to UNB, a cattle trader said he was bringing cattle to the capital but remained stuck in Manikganj since early morning.

He feared that he might have to incur huge losses if he fails to reach the capital in time.