Allegations have been raised that a ferry in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali was delayed for nearly two hours beyond schedule for local Member of Parliament Abdul Hannan Masud.
The incident occurred on Sunday night while the ferry Mahananda was anchored at Nolchira ghat. Hannan Masud was seen speaking with passengers at the time.
Local sources said the ferry left Haroni Union Chairman Ghat at around 4:15pm. and reached Nolchira ghat at 5:45pm. It was scheduled to depart again at 7pm., but left nearly two hours late. Standard loading and unloading takes up to one and a quarter hour.
Passengers said vehicles, including motorcycles, were booked from the afternoon but were not allowed to board after arrival. They alleged they were told the ferry would depart after the MP’s arrival. They also said the delay prevented them from catching night buses to Dhaka from Chairman Ghat, Sonapur, or Maijdee.
Ferry master Mozammel Haque said the vessel reached at 5:40pm. and unloading/loading normally takes about 40 minutes each. He said staff were informed in advance of the MP’s arrival, causing initial restrictions on boarding. “After 8pm., we left for Chairman Ghat. The delay was about one hour compared to normal time,” he said.
Hannan Masud, in a statement, expressed concern over ferry management irregularities, artificial congestion and an alleged syndicate. He said he had to wait about 45 minutes after arriving at the ghat following Eid-ul-Azha holidays.
He alleged a vested group blocked vehicles from boarding and created congestion to humiliate him and disrupt ferry operations. He said ferry services are not dependent on any individual or VIP and must run on schedule. He warned of strict legal action against those involved in what he called a “black syndicate” at ferry terminals, adding that authorities have been instructed accordingly.
