Ferry services on Shimulia-Kawrakandi route in the Padma River remained suspended for the sixth day yesterday due to strong current and low navigability at Lauhojong point.
Ferry services were remained suspended till yesterday afternoon. Meanwhile, a joint survey started for dredging on the river route to increase depth of the river at the point.
Executive Engineer of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority Sultan Uddin Khan said a 12-member committee had visited key points of the river route and taken decision to conduct the survey.
The disruption of ferry service on the route, which is known as gateway to southern districts, increased the woes of the people who regularly use the route.
Fourteen medium and small ferries transported goods and passengers till Thursday, as four Ro-Ro ferries have remained out of operation for two weeks.
But operations of medium and small ferries were halted completely on that day due to navigability crisis and strong current in the mighty River Padma, much to cause sufferings for people who depend on the route for their travel.
Yesterday, over 200 vehicles got stuck on both sides of the river, leads to traffic confession in three kilometres area on the Dhaka-Mawa Highway near Shimulia ghat in Munshiganj.
As the BIWTA did not conduct dredging in the recent past, a good number of underwater shoals had emerged in the channels of the ferry routes between Mawa and Kawrakandi, alleged locals.
Giasuddin Patowari, manager of BIWTA, Shimulia ghat told the Dhaka Tribune that dredging was going on at the river point, but dredgers could not be able to cut river bed’s earth due to strong current. Moreover, dredged portions of the river bed again were filled up by silt for heavy current.
Earlier, the Shipping Ministry has taken decision to use a big dredging unit, engaged in Padma Bridge project, to make the route navigable.
Sultan Uddin Khan said the BIWTA would use the big dredger from the Padma Bridge project today.
Meanwhile, two ferries carried goods from Monday night to yesterday in a small scale.
