Disruption of ferry service on Paturia-Daulatdia route continue for shortage of ferries and delay of ferrying across the river Padma for the heavy current trigger a six-kilometre traffic jam on Paturia end.
Mohiuddin Rasel, manager (commerce) of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation at Aricha office, said the shortage of ferries and heavy current on the river caused delay in ferrying vehicles.
Hundreds of passengers of 17 southern districts are facing suffering as six kilometers long traffic jam continually at Paturia of Manikganj and Daulatdia ferry ghat of Rajbari since Wednesday.
Around 600 vehicles awaiting on the two ferry points, he said.
BIWTC Aricha office source said, there are 18 ferries including 10 Ro-Ro, 3 K-type and 5 utility in Paturia-Daulatdia ferry route.
Of those, four ferries— Ro Ro ferrie Shah Jalal, K-type ferry- Kaberi and utility ferries- Bonolata and Madhobilota— are out of operation for engine problem. This ferries are now at Paturia dock-yard .
Besides, two ferries — Birshrestha Matiur Rahman, and Hamidur Rahman, returned in operation on Friday morning. But of these old ferries could not operation for heavy current of the river.
Ferries are plying very slowly for heavy current in Padma. Each ferry now needs double times than usual, one hour and minutes, for ferrying, BIWTC offcie said.
Traders of vegetables, which are perishable, are the worst sufferers of this disruption of communication.
Locals blamed the officials of the BIWTC for their apathy and indifference in repairing the damaged ferries in time. Had the officials been a bit careful the disruption of ferry service could be casually averted, they said.
The crisis would be solved after all the ferries return in operation after required repair, Mohiuddin Rasel added.
Source: New Age
