Ferry Services in Padma River Suspended on Joukura-Nazirganj Route

Rajbari District Correspondent

Ferry services on the Joukura (Dhawapara)-Nazirganj river route connecting Rajbari and Pabna have remained suspended for three days due to strong currents in the Padma River. Ferry movement on the Daulatdia-Paturia route has also been disrupted by the current. As a result, passengers and vehicle drivers using the routes are facing difficulties. They are having to spend extra time and money to travel via alternative routes. Many are crossing the river at risk on engine-powered boats or speedboats. Taking advantage of the situation, extra money is being taken from passengers.

According to sources, ferry services on the Dhawapara-Nazirganj route have been suspended since the evening of September 6 as water levels and currents in the Padma increased. Of the two ferries at Dhawapara Ghat, one has remained out of service for a long time. The other ferry has also been unable to safely carry vehicles due to the strong current.

Local businessman Azmal Mondal said one of the ferries at the ghat broke down two to three months ago and has remained out of service. The other ferry, which had been operating, has also been suspended for three days. “There is no serviceable ferry here. Moreover, it does not operate regularly. It only runs during the designated hours,” he said.

Rabiul Islam, assistant manager of the BIWTC Dhawapara Ferry Ghat, said ferry services had been suspended due to the strong current. “We have informed the authorities about the need for ferries. They are looking into the matter,” he said.

Mohammad Salahuddin, manager of the BIWTC Daulatdia Ghat, said ferry movement was being severely disrupted by the strong current in the Padma. On Monday, the Bir Sreshtho Hamidur Rahman ferry left Paturia at around 9:45am but could not berth at Daulatdia Ghat No. 4.

He said the ferry was swept several kilometres away from the ghat due to the strong current. As the IT vessel could not bring the Hamidur to Daulatdia due to the current, the ferry was taken back to Paturia Ghat in Manikganj and unloaded at around 2pm. The passengers then crossed the river on the ferry Khan Jahan Ali and reached Daulatdia Ghat. The journey, which previously took about 30 minutes, now takes nearly an hour.