The normal ferry service on Shimulia-Kathalbari river route will take at least more than a week after completion of the ongoing dredging work in the mighty river Padma, an official said.
The number of ferry services has been slashed due to the dredging work for ensuring smooth navigability in the channel of the river route.
Earlier, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) after a suspension of 22 days had resumed ferry services on Friday last. Only three ferries had operated on that day.
A BIWTC official at Shimulia terminal told the FE on Saturday that they had increased the number of ferries to ease the sufferings of the passengers.
He said that five to six ferries were operating on that day (Saturday). He, however, said the ferry services were operated on a trial basis until ensuring smooth navigability on the route for smooth movement of ferries.
Meanwhile, the passengers who travel from the capital to the southern districts through the Shimulia-Kathalbari route had to suffer a lot due to the limited number of ferry services.
And due to the shortage of ferries, most of the passengers had faced a lot of trouble as they were mostly compelled to travel by speed boats with extra fares.
Passengers and transport drivers, especially goods laden trucks, demanded that the authority concerned continue the service as they had to suffer a lot due to the absence of ferry services over the last three weeks.
Many trucks had to stay either on Kathalbari or Shimulia side for more than one week that ended until Friday morning following the resumption of ferry services, according to the transport sector insiders.
A BIWTC official at Kathalbari told the FE that they had resumed ferry services following the directives by the higher authority.
He said a limited number of ferries along with launches were operating on the route.
He further said that water level at some points of Shimulia-Kathalbari route fell significantly that resulted in slashing the number of ferry services.
To ease the sufferings of the passengers as well as to ensure smooth movement of ferries, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority or BIWTA has been carrying out dredging work in the channel of Shimulia-Kathalbari ferry route.
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