Tailback near Daulatdia terminal starts clearing up

The kilometres-long lines of vehicles waiting to cross the Padma River from the Daulatdia terminal have started to clear up.

Around 4,000 cars, trucks and other vehicles crossed the river from Daulatdia in the 24 hours to Friday morning, according to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC).

There was a nearly 4km-long queue of goods-laden trucks, but passenger vehicles were few in number at around 11am.

People and vehicles are seen at the Daulatdia terminal on Friday, March 18, 2022 Dhaka Tribune

Truckers said they were having a dreadful time waiting for ferries due to the hot weather and the lack of toilets on top of not having had any food for hours.

One truck driver, Md Kayum Sheikh, complained that they were suffering because of the terminal being mismanaged.

On the other hand, businesses fear they would incur huge losses if goods are not transported in time.

“We are working round the clock to reduce everyone’s suffering and the traffic congestion,” BIWTC Daulatdia Terminal Manager Md Shihab Uddin assured.