Ferry services between Bhola and Lakshmipur are feared to be snapped any time as authorities are yet to take any step about the eroding approach road of Elisha Ferry Ghat and the submerging of its gangway in Bhola district.
Moreover, there are shoals in the Meghna River, onto which ferries often get stuck and so they are operated depending on high and low tides of the river.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA)’s Bhola-Lakshmipur Ferry Services Manager (commerce) Abu Alam said: “The ghat that includes its gangway too is to be overseen by the BIWTA and the approach road by the RHD.
“The BIWTA can prevent the submerging of the gangway by dumping some bricks there, but they are sitting idle instead of doing anything about this. They have been repeatedly notified about this, though.”
He added: “The maximum part of the ghat’s approach road has already eroded and the rest might disappear into the river any time disrupting the ferry services, but even the RHD, that is supposed to deal with it, are yet to take any step about this as well.”
When Bhola RHD Executive Engineer Shahin Chowdhury was asked about this, he however said: “We are not authorised to prevent any river erosion. As much as we are to do, we have already done.”
BIWTA’s Bhola-Lakshmipur Ferry Services Manager (commerce) Abu Alam said: There are only two ferries in service along this route because another ferry, which recently went out of order after getting stuck into a shoal in the river, is now being repaired.”
He added that this route called for another ferry on the emrgency basis. Otherwise, there would be trouble during Eid-ul-Azha to be celebrate in October.