The Daulatdia Ferry Terminal No-4 in Rajbari has been closed since midnight Friday due to sudden erosion of the Padma River causing suffering for the terminal users.
Currently, out of the four ferry terminals at Daulatdia, only two are operational, causing disruption in ferrying vehicles.
Sources at Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) said around 25 meters of the terminal and nearby residential areas have eroded, making the area risky.
Locals said that erosion began suddenly around 1:15am on Friday, with the riverbank on the eastern side of the terminal collapsing. This caused panic among locals, prompting the authorities to shut down the terminal. Earlier a ferry carrying vehicles had departed for Paturia around 1am.
Laskar Shamsul Alam, an official of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) in charge of the terminal's pontoon, said that the ferry "Shah Mokhdum" left for Paturia at 1am. Shortly after, erosion began on the eastern side of the pontoon, causing the ground to collapse rapidly and the water level to rise. The terminal was closed around 2am as a precautionary measure, and a recovery vehicle was brought in to lift the pontoon.
By Saturday afternoon, a recovery vehicle from BIWTC was seen on the connecting road of Terminal No-4, with the pontoon secured by thick ropes to prevent it from drifting away. Approximately 100 feet of the ramp has fallen into the river, leaving it in a hazardous state. Additionally, ten local families are at risk due to the ongoing erosion.
Local tea-staller Monir Fakir said that he had just closed his shop and returned home when he heard about the terminal's collapse and expressed concern for his tea stall and residence, located just 10 yards from the terminal, fearing that they may be destroyed if the erosion continues.
