Ferry services on the Chilmari-Roumari route in Kurigram have been suspended for 17 days since December 23 due to navigability problems in the Brahmaputra River.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Chilmari, Manager Prafulla Chauhan said, “Services will resume only after clearance from the BIWTA. However, no specific timeline has been provided.”
Abdul Matin, who driver of a stone-laden truck from Bhurungamari's Sonahat land port, expressed frustration, saying, "I didn't know the ferry service was closed. I've been stranded here with my truck for the last three days, with no clarity on when operations will resume."
Another driver, Zahidul Islam from Lalmonirhat, said, "I arrived only to find the ferry service suspended. Now I’ll have to take a longer route, which will increase my expenses."
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BIWTA Deputy Assistant Engineer Md Kamruzzaman said the navigability issue extends across six kilometres from Baldamara to Roumari Ghat.
"The channel that previously facilitated the ferry route was disrupted after the embankment collapsed. We are currently dredging about 4,000 feet of the river. Unfortunately, floodwaters have refilled the dredged areas," he added.