More than 400,000 people of Moheshkhali upazila in the district have been suffering as the jetty on the Bakkhali River channel lies in a dilapidated situation.
Sources said the jetty was the only way to communicate with the sadr upazila, but the people cannot communicate with the district town as it cannot be operated properly due to the lack of navigation of the channel.
In 1988, the 500-metre jetty was built on the river to communicate between Cox’s Bazar and Moheshkhali at a cost of Tk20 lakh.
But the channel became narrow because of silt and the jetty was later extended to 100 metres in 2000 at a cost of Tk1 crore.
But it now lies unused as the channel has became very narrow.
Locals alleged that the government took TK40 lakh every year in revenue from the ghat but did not take any step to repair the jetty or dredge the channel.
Five years ago, the jetty totally collapsed and was not later repaired.
On the other hand, boats or launches have to anchor far away from the ghat and the people have to cross the channel facing mud and clay. Sometimes, fatal accidents take place as people get their legs stuck in the mud.
Abul Kalam Khan, whose job is to control vehicles at the jetty, said people suffer at the time of ebb as boats have to be anchored 2,000 metres from the jetty.
“Elderly people, women and children suffer the most.”
Trader Mohibullah of the upazila said: “We have to incur losses as goods cannot be transported easily because of the poor condition of the channel and the jetty. The tourists also suffer much.”
“The government should take immediate steps in this regard,” he added.
The upazila nirbahi officer, Abul Kalam, said: “There is no plan to extend or repair the jetty at this moment.”
Mahbubur Rahman, a college teacher, said: “The jetty should be repaired soon as Matarbari power station is located in the area and every day, many dignitaries have to cross the channel.”
Deputy Commissioner Ali Hossain said: “I have taken notice of the matter. The jetty will be extended soon.”
