MANIKGANJ, Mar 29: After last year's intensive river erosion, the Paturia Launch Ghat in Shibalaya upazila of Manikganj has yet to undergo any permanent repair, raising fear that the ghat could be completely washed away in the upcoming monsoon.
The Paturia-Daulatdia river route is one of the most vital waterways connecting 21 districts in the southwestern region of the country with the capital Dhaka. Every day, thousands of people use this route for livelihood, healthcare, education, and other essential needs.
In early August last year, strong currents of the Padma River swept away one of the jetties at the Paturia Launch Ghat.
The situation became highly dangerous, forcing authorities to shift passenger operations to the nearby No. 2 ferry ghat.
Although the launch ghat was later relocated back to its original position after a few months, no permanent protective measures have been implemented, leaving the entire area vulnerable as before.
A visit to the site reveals that most of the sand-filled geo-bags placed to prevent erosion have already been washed away by the river.
A large portion of the passenger shed has also been swept away by strong current. In the absence of a proper jetty, a narrow temporary walkway made of sandbags has been constructed for boarding and disembarking from the pontoons.
Passengers are forced to use this risky path daily, which has become especially hazardous for children, women, and the elderly.
Commuters report that boarding and disembarking the launches have become extremely difficult and unsafe under current conditions. Mantaha Rahman Lipi, a housewife returning to Dhaka from Faridpur, said, "Earlier, there was a jetty, so boarding was easy. Now we have to walk over sandbags. A slight misstep could cause someone to slip and fall into the river."
Md. Salauddin, a senior officer at a government bank, said, "It is very difficult to travel with children and elderly family members. When the water level rises during the monsoon, this route will become nearly unusable. Today, my family struggled a lot just to get up from the pontoon."
Tanvir Hossain, a resident of Rajbari, noted, "The condition of Daulatdia Launch Ghat is much better than Paturia. Last monsoon caused severe damage here. If immediate steps are not taken, this ghat will be washed away."
Small businesses that depend on the ghat are also struggling due to a sharp decline in passengers.
Local vendor Ali Hossain said, "Earlier, I used to earn 3,000 to 4,000 taka a day. Now I don't even make Tk 2,000. Fewer passengers mean less business. Many shops have already shut down."
Launch masters and crew members say that erosion occurs here every monsoon, but no effective preventive measures are taken in advance.
One launch master said, "This is not new. The same problem happens every year. But since no early action is taken, the damage worsens. If steps are not taken quickly this time, whatever remains of the ghat will not survive."
Panna Lal Nandi, manager of Paturia Launch Ghat, said, "Last year, strong currents of the Padma washed away the ghat and its jetties completely. So far, no measures have been taken to protect the ghat. If this continues, the ghat will not exist in the coming monsoon. We have informed the BIWTA authorities, but our concerns are not being given importance."
Md. Robiul Alam, executive engineer of BIWTA's Aricha River Port, said that the current condition of the ghat has been formally communicated to the relevant ministries.
He said, "The main issue is the lack of river training works, which fall under the responsibility of the Bangladesh Water Development Board. Without river training, any work on the ghat alone will not be sustainable. For now, we have arranged a temporary sandbag pathway for passenger movement."
Locals, traders, and launch operators fear that without urgent and effective intervention, the remaining portions of the Paturia Launch Ghat may also be swallowed by the river in the coming monsoon. This would not only intensify passenger suffering but also severely impact the local economy and the livelihoods of several thousand people who depend on this crucial river route.
They demand immediate steps, including river training and permanent infrastructure development, before the onset of the monsoon. Otherwise, one of the country's most important river transport hubs could face a complete collapse.
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