Arduous Eid trips feared on Paturia-Daulatdia waterway

MANIKGANJ, May 25: Apprehensions are looming over the potential passenger sufferings and disruptions on the important Paturia-Daulatdia waterway during Eid-ul-Azha journey this year due to river erosion onslaughts and hassles from the ongoing infrastructure work at the ferry ghats.
With only a handful of days left before Eid-ul-Azha, people from 21 southwestern districts have already started heading home to celebrate the festival with their families.
The Paturia-Daulatdia route is one of the country's busiest waterways connecting the capital with the southwestern region. Thousands of passengers and vehicles use the route every day, and traffic pressure increases several times during Eid holiday.
Over the past few days, river erosion has appeared near ferry ghats 4 and 5 at Paturia as the water level in the Padma River continues to rise. Officials and local residents fear the situation may worsen if the water level increases further.
During a visit to the area on Saturday, it was seen that the low-water-level connecting road of the ferry route is now under threat due to rising water. Authorities concerned said vehicle movement through the road could be suspended if the river rises another one to two feet.
To tackle the situation, construction work on medium-water-level connecting roads is underway at ghats 3 and 4. While the work at ghat 4 has already been completed, work at ghat 3 is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, authorities have prepared ghats 1 and 2 because there is not enough space to build a medium-water-level connecting road near ghat 5.
At the same time, the launch terminal located between the ferry ghats is being shifted to the Koraitola area, which may cause additional suffering for passengers.
People concerned with the ferry operation said the pressure of vehicles and passengers during Eid is usually several times higher than normal. In such a situation, river erosion and ongoing construction work may disrupt ferry services.
Truck driver Sohel, who transports cattle to Gabtoli cattle market, said the current connecting road is already difficult to use for carrying goods. He expressed concern that the newly constructed road may not be strong enough if the water level rises further.
Local resident Faizul said ferry ghat number 5 may become unusable within a few days.
He also said the connecting roads at ghats 3 and 4 should have been constructed earlier, adding that there are concerns about the durability of the rushed work.
According to him, sand-laden vehicles around ghats 1 and 2 may also increase public suffering.
Panna Lal Nandi, manager of the Paturia-Daulatdia launch terminal, said the launch terminal had long been located between the two ferry ghats, but it is now being shifted to Koraitola. He said passengers may face some inconveniences as work at the new terminal is not yet fully complete.
Officials, however, said several measures have been taken to ensure smooth Eid travel on the route.
Abdus Salam, deputy general manager of BIWTC's Aricha office, said a total of 18 small and large ferries will operate on the route during Eid. He said side railings have been installed on pontoons to reduce accident risks and that rescue vessels and wreckers will remain ready in case ferries or vehicles break down.
BIWTA Executive Engineer at the Aricha office, Robiul Alam, said work is underway to shift the ghats from low-level areas to higher ground due to the rising water level of the Padma River.
He added that the connecting road at ghat 4 has already been completed, work at ghat 3 is in its final stage, and construction of the new launch terminal is also nearly completion.
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