Ferry stuck up on Padma
Routes on Padma, Jamuna risky as water levels fall
Our Correspondent, Manikganj
Ferry Shah Paran with 500 passengers on board was stuck up in an underwater shoal near Paturia ferry terminal on Padma river for two and half hour from 2:30 pm yesterday as the water level decreased.A tugboat of BIWTC (Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation) salvaged the ferry at 4:30 pm, BIWTC sources said. This created a jam of vehicles at Paturia and Dailatdia trminals. Some 500 vehicles lined up at the terminals till 5:00 pm yesterday, waiting to be ferried across the river. Ferry service in Paturia-Daulatdia and Paturia Nagarbari (Kazirhat) routes on the Padma and Jamuna may be disrupted any time as the water levels is falling fast, BIWTA sources said. BIWTA Deputy Director Joynal Abedin said the water level is falling by about 16 cm a day in last three days. At least 8:50 feet water is need for a ferry vessel to move but now the depth is 6:50 feet only, he said. BIWTC General Manager (Commerce) Mohammad Ali said ferry vessels are carrying half of their normal load due to poor navigability. High official of BIWTA and BIWTC will sit today in Dhaka to discuss steps to keep the rivers navigable at the points. Now, ferry vessels ply the routes with risk as their propellers at times touch sand underneath, their operators said while talking to this correspondent yesterday. Paturia-Daulatdia and Paturia Nagarbari (Kazirhat) routes are vital because these link the capital with south and south-western districts of the country.
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