United News of Bangladesh

Homebound passengers using the Chandpur launch terminal are facing severe suffering ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, as construction of the much-anticipated modern terminal remains incomplete even after nearly four years. The project initiated at a cost of several hundred crores of taka has yet to be finished, leaving passengers to navigate an underdeveloped and poorly managed terminal during one of the busiest travel seasons. Visiting the terminal area from Tuesday morning to late afternoon a fragile and chaotic situation was found. Makeshift wooden stairs attached to the pontoon remain unusually steep, forcing passengers to struggle while boarding and disembarking. Passengers are also compelled to wait in overcrowded conditions on the limited space of the pontoon, with no proper waiting rooms, clean drinking water, sanitation facilities or breastfeeding corners available. Transport mismanagement has further compounded the suffering. As passengers disembark, they are often surrounded by CNG-run auto-rickshaw and three-wheeler drivers who aggressively compete to take luggage, creating disorder and discomfort. “It’s a complete mess here,” Abdul Malek, a passenger expressed frustration over the situation. Although authorities have repeatedly promised action, little improvement is visible on the ground, he said. Sources said construction work has stalled due to inactivity by the contractor, worsening the plight of travellers. Although the engineering wing of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) carried out some repair work ahead of Eid, it has done little to ease the pressure of thousands of passengers. Around 30 launches operate daily on the Chandpur-Dhaka-Narayanganj route, carrying thousands of passengers. The terminal is also used by people from neighbouring areas including Lakshmipur’s Raipur and Ramganj, as well as passengers from Haimchar upazila. About 20,000 passengers use the terminal every day, according to launch owners’ representatives Ali Azgar and Ruhul Amin. Passengers voiced their grievances while waiting for launches. “We are going to Dhaka, but there is no place to sit. We are forced to wait under the open sky in this heat,” said Sabina, one of the passengers, adding that the lack of sanitation facilities is making the situation worse, especially for those travelling with children. Another passenger, Masudur Rahman, said, “People travel during Eid to share joy with their families, but here porters and transport drivers create chaos by pulling at luggage. These issues need to be controlled.” Jahangir Hossain, who arrived from Dhaka, said although launch travel is considered relatively safe, mismanagement at the terminal exposes passengers to harassment. “Fares are being overcharged. A trip that should cost Tk 100 is being charged Tk 200 to 250. CNG and auto drivers are the worst offenders,” he alleged. Chandpur River Police Station Officer-in-Charge ASM Iqbal Hossain said law enforcement personnel are working round the clock to ensure passenger safety during the Eid rush. Deputy Director of Chandpur river port Md Kamruzzaman said passengers are currently using a temporary terminal due to ongoing construction work. “We are trying to ensure safe travel for passengers,” he added. Deputy Commissioner Md Nazmul Islam Sarker said an executive magistrate has been deployed at the terminal to oversee the situation. “We hope passenger services will improve through proper supervision and management,” he said.