Ferry operations on Aricha-Kazirhat waterway have been suspended since Saturday evening due to low navigability in the approach channel. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) made the decision at 6pm on Saturday mentioning safety concerns. As a result, over 300 goods-laden trucks got stranded on both sides of the river, causing immense suffering of drivers, labours and passengers awaiting transport. Abu Abdullah Rony, manager of BIWTC's Aricha commercial office, said that the channel's water levels are insufficient, making ferry operations risky. "The buildup of silt in the Aricha approach channel has reduced the river's depth, obstructing ferry movement. To prevent accidents, we had no option but to suspend services," he said. Read: Ferry services resume on Aricha-Kazirhat route after 56 hours Nasir Mohammad Chowdhury, deputy general manager of BIWTC's Aricha regional office, said that at least eight feet of navigable depth is required for ferries to operate safely. However, the channel currently has less than six feet of depth. "Under these conditions, continuing operations was impossible, so we had to stop ferry services from Saturday evening," he added. With this, this ferry service has been suspended three times this month.

Ferry services on the Aricha-Kazirhat route have been suspended due to poor navigability, leaving 300 goods-laden vehicles stranded on the river.Nasir Mohammad Chowdhury, deputy general manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) at the Aricha point, said several ferries were stuck on hidden shoals on Friday due to the poor navigability in the Padma River, forcing the authorities to halt ferry services multiple times.Finally, ferry services on the Aricha-Kazirhat route were suspended at 10 pm on Friday after a ferry got stuck on a hidden shoal in a remote area near Aricha, he said. Ferry capsize in Padma: sunken ferry, six more vehicles yet to be retrievedA total of 300 goods-laden vehicles were stranded on both the Padma River due to the suspension of ferry services.The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) started dredging work, and ferry services will resume once the work is completed.

Authorities on Thursday morning suspended launch services on Paturia-Daulatdia and Aricha-Kazirhat launch routes for inclement weather.