OUR CORRESPONDENT
CHANDPUR, Mar 27: Chandpur is a riverine district surrounded by Meghna, Dakatia and Padma rivers in the west, south and north.
Raj Rajeswar union , Ibrahimpur union , Hanarchar and Laxmipur unions under Chandpur Sadar Upazila have a vast char area having 2 lakh population.
Every day, thousands of men and women along with children from remote char areas and the neighbouring Shariatpur district's eastern areas come by trawlers or boats run by motor engines to Chandpur town for treatment, education, shopping, business and other works in Chandpur town.
Talking to the FE, some residents of Raj Rajeswar union, including Hajrat Ali, 60, Abul Kashem Miji and Omar Ali High School Headmaster Alhaj Md Shafiullah Sarkar (58), teacher Sharifullah, 35, said they have go to Chandpur town by crossing turbulent Meghna and Padma rivers by trawlers. The fare is Tk 40- 50 per head.
Each vessel carries about 40 people, sacks of rice, pulse, fried rice, staffed rice, sugar, salt and other commodities.
About 100 merchandise boats and trawlers ply every day between Chandpur town and various char areas.
But, none takes care that the boats and trawlers must have enough life-saving jackets/buoys in case of sudden stormy weather or accidents in mid-river for safety of life.
"Every day, many men and women working in high schools, NGOs, govt pry schools and govt community centres in the above mentioned remote char areas and places have to go across the river route of 10/15kms from Chandpur town by these country boats or trawlers to the char lands.
They all
have to come back to Chandpur town , braving inclement weather and turbulent Meghna and Padma rivers.
In addition, many traders of remote rural bazaars in char areas have to come to awfully busy and bustling commercial hub - Puranbazar wholesale trading centres for buying goods and commodities and then go back amid rough weather by country boats and trawlers.
maayerbadhon@gmail.com
