United News of Bangladesh

With the Eid-ul-Fitr approaching fast, concerns are growing over possible travel disruptions at Paturia ferry and launch terminals, the main gateway to the country’s southwestern region covering 21 districts, as those damaged during last year’s monsoon remain unrepaired. The Paturia ferry terminal on the Padma River was badly damaged by strong currents during the last monsoon but repairs are yet to be completed, while several pontoons are now in a dilapidated state. The situation at the launch terminal is similarly worrying, locals said. After the only launch terminal was washed away by the river around six months ago, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority set up a temporary pontoon beside the No. 2 ferry terminal to keep launch services running. Launch operators and passengers fear extreme hardship if passenger pressure increases ahead of Eid. Visiting Paturia terminal the correspondent found that of the five ferry ghats, ferries are operating only through the No. 3 and No. 5 terminals. The No. 4 ghat is completely closed and under repair while the No. 2 ghat has become unusable as ferries cannot dock there. Officials of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) said that during normal times, an average of 1,500 to 2,000 vehicles, including buses, trucks, private cars, microbuses, motorcycles and pickup vans, cross the Paturia–Daulatdia route daily. During Eid, the number rises sharply to around 4,000 to 5,000 vehicles a day, prompting authorities to increase ferry services. BIWTC Aricha sector Deputy General Manager Abdus Salam said all five terminals were damaged by strong monsoon currents last August, of which three have since been repaired. Repair work at the No. 4 ghat is ongoing but he acknowledged that the shortage of functional ferry terminals creates problems during ferry loading and unloading. Local drivers and passengers said the approach roads to the terminals are riddled with potholes, making it difficult for vehicles to board and disembark from ferries. They said unless urgent repairs are carried out, long traffic tailbacks could form during Eid, forcing people to wait for hours to cross the river. Hundreds of passengers use the lunch terminal daily, with numbers multiplying ahead of Eid. The original terminal was washed away by strong currents on August 5 last year, forcing authorities to operate services from a temporary pontoon beside the No. 2 ferry ghat. Passengers said the steep approach road from the terminal building to the pontoon makes boarding and disembarking hazardous and uncomfortable. BIWTA Executive Engineer Rabiul Islam said adequate repairs could not be carried out due to budget constraints. He, however, said work has already begun to make the No. 4 ferry ghat operational including repairs to the pontoon and approach road. Rabiul expressed hope that it would be reopened within a week. He also said work would be carried out on the launch terminal’s approach road, adding that all terminals are expected to be fully operational just before Eid. 15 dead after passenger ferry capsizes on Nile River in Sudan Manikganj Deputy Commissioner Nazmun Ara Sultana said relevant agencies, including BIWTC, BIWTA, the Roads and Highways Department, police and terminal authorities, have been instructed to take necessary measures to ensure smooth and safe ferry and launch crossings for Eid-bound passengers. She hoped that travellers would not face major difficulties during the holiday rush.