Bangladesh's waterways, once the primary mode of transportation of goods within the country, have lost their prominence over time as roads have taken over as the preferred means of transport. While passenger transport still utilizes waterways in certain areas, particularly in the capital and southern districts, the transportation of goods has significantly declined.
Discussions with boat and trawler workers and owners involved in bringing products to Shyambazar, Badamtali and Soarighat near Sadarghat revealed stories of despair. According to them, waterways goods transport was flourishing even two decades ago.
However, goods transportation through waterways has gradually lost its charm. Currently, goods are primarily transported by sea to river-based markets, with agricultural products accounting for nearly 100% of the shipments. In underdeveloped areas with limited road communication facilities, shipping is still used to transport goods.
Sand transportation also utilizes bulkheads, with goods sent to river port-centric areas with launch-based communication systems.
Apart from these specific cases, the transportation of goods relies heavily on roads.
The aforesaid workers and owners believe if the country's road transport infrastructure is improved, the demand for waterways will diminish.
Kaleem Mia, a 55-year-old boatman at Shyambazar ghat, lamented the decrease in goods transported by boat to the ghat. He recalled the days when large boats carried potatoes and onions from different ghats. However, now most goods arrive by trucks and pickups from Chandpur, Munshiganj, Barisal and Khulna.
Russell, who brings goods from Faridpur on a trawler, expressed the difficulties faced by waterways transporters.
He said although he makes the trip once a week, the goods mostly come by truck from Faridpur. He emphasized the challenges of feeding a family in such circumstances.
The decline in interest in shipping goods by sea raises the question of the reasons behind it. Waterways transport workers said while boats and trawlers now have engines, which save time, they still cannot match the speed of road transport. Although shipping costs are slightly lower, the time required is significantly longer.
Furthermore, unloading goods anywhere is possible on roads, but after arriving at the wharf by sea, the goods must be transported to the destination via road, often requiring additional vehicles such as vans or rickshaws.
Additionally, not all types of goods can be transported by sea. As a result, inland waterways are primarily limited to carrying agricultural products and sand.
Sharif Khan, who brought gourds from Munshiganj to Shyambazar, highlighted the contrast between using a trawler and a truck. He described how he could transport 4,000 pumpkins on a trawler, while only 1,000 could fit in a truck. Despite the higher costs associated with trucks, they offer faster travel times.
Fishmonger Kalam Sheikh from Soarighat shared his experience of how fish now arrive in pickups, making it easier to load and unload goods directly at the store. He mentioned that trawler engine breakdowns often cause additional challenges.
Trawler and boat owners said waterways are still more commonly used for transporting seasonal fruits, including mango, jackfruit, watermelon and lychee. For personal use, Mamun Sikder, a trawler owner from Chandpur, utilizes trawlers primarily for seasonal fruit transportation.
Various market vendors, such as Md Said from Sarkar Banizyola in Shyambazar, mentioned that vegetables arrive by sea in the morning from areas like Shaperchar, Dhamrai and Savar. Potatoes, onions, and other ingredients, however, are delivered by trucks.
Pranakrishna Dev, a betel leaf trader, explained that betel leaves arrive by launch from the Barisal area and by truck from Satkhira, Chuadanga and Jhenaidah, depending on the orders received.
The introduction of road communication in the southern region has led to a decline in waterways transport, with nearly 100% of goods previously transported by launches.
Launch Owners Association General Secretary Shahidul Islam also expressed concern about further decreases in the future, citing the significant drop in daily goods transported to Barisal.