Hundreds have been stranded since this morning at Ilisha Ferry Ghat on the Meghna riverbank in Bhola district, desperately waiting to return to their workplaces in Dhaka and Chattogram.

With a severe shortage of passenger vessels, many are facing immense suffering, and some are risking their lives by boarding unsafe trawlers and speedboats across the Meghna during risky hours, raising fears of possible accidents.

Passengers reported waiting for four to five hours on the embankment, with little hope of finding a spot on a ferry or launch.

Many have resorted to paying extra fares to cross the Meghna via risky vessels like trawlers and speedboats to reach Lakshmipur in Noakhali on their way to Chattogram.

Photo: Monir Uddin Anik

According to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), at least six launches left Ilisha Ghat for Majuchowdhury Ghat since the morning.

However, the number of waiting passengers is reportedly double the number already on their way.

Sima Begum, a resident of Dhulia village in Bhola's Sadar upazila, works at a garment factory in Chattogram.

She had been waiting at the riverbank since morning with 12 family members.

"While the journey home was smooth, returning to work has turned into a nightmare," she said. "Even after waiting five to six hours, we haven't been able to get any space on a launch. We are now being forced to risk our lives on unsafe boats."

Another passenger, Roksana Begum, who was accompanied by two family members, said she could not even reach the pontoon due to the overwhelming crowd.

A visit to the Ilisha ferry terminal revealed a chaotic scene -- people were packed shoulder to shoulder on the embankment blocks along the river. Despite official restrictions on movement through the Meghna's danger zone, scheduled from March 15 to October 15, countless people were seen boarding overloaded speedboats and trawlers to reach Majuchowdhury Ghat.

Passengers said the speedboat fare from Ilisha to Majuchowdhury Ghat, which was previously Tk 300, has surged to Tk 700. Fares for trawlers have also tripled. Shamsuddin Ahmed, another traveller, pointed out the root of the crisis.

"Since there's no direct road connectivity from Bhola to Lakshmipur, Chattogram, Barishal or Dhaka, people are forced to rely on the river route -- causing this extreme pressure."

BIWTA officials admitted the passenger load far exceeds the vessel capacity. Additionally, navigability issues are causing delays, especially for ferries heading towards Majuchowdhury Ghat.

Md Riyad Hossain, a port officer, said, "We've deployed 14 launches towards Dhaka and six more towards Lakshmipur, Hatiya, and Chattogram. However, due to the heavy rush, not everyone can get on board. It's not entirely true that all are boarding unsafe boats. We believe the situation will normalise within the next 48 hours."