Boat sales boom amid flood in Sunamganj

SYLHET, Aug 26. Jagannathpur boat market in Sunamganj district is now a buzz of many buyers and traders amid flood in the region.
The boat market sits on Noljur river ghat every Sunday and Wednesday (two times in a week).
Different types of boats draw attraction of buyers and traders who throng the boat market.
Locals said boat is the only means for communications for rural people in haor region of the district in the next six months.
Fishermen buy boats for fishing in haors. Middle-class families have boats for use during the monsoon floods.
However, many said boat prices at the boat market are higher. But buyers throng the market where there are quality and all-size boats at reasonable prices.
Boat traders keep the boats of various size and quality in queues for sales as buyers can easily visit those. A buyer can easily choose his desired size and quantity boat here.
A seller, Jahangir Hossain, said a 18-21ft boat costs Tk 9500-26,000. Both new and old boats are sold here.
The price remains normal most of the time, but during the mid monsoon it goes up amid rise in the demand as almost whole the haor region goes under water.
Local people have alleged that boat traders take advantage of flooding.
Abdur Rashid of Tahirpur said boat is the only means of communications in locality. It's also well used for transportation of goods.
Amid a rising demand for boats, paddle price also goes up during the whole season.

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