Out of 52 ferries, 27 have remained out of order in Barisal region causing long tailbacks at the ferry crossing points, much to the sufferings of the commuters.
Of the total 30 ferry terminals, 22 are now in service as five terminals were closed after construction of bridges while the rest three do not operate due to shortages of ferry vessels.
Ferry division sources said 1 out of 2 ferries at Banaripara, Mirganj, Kirtankhola, Beltala, Nehalganj, Amrajhuli, Galachipa, Hajipur, Mohipur, Paeyrakunja, and Baroitala have remained out of order for quite a while.
And 1 out of 3 ferries at Laharhut, Charkhali, 2 out of 3 ferries at Amua, Lebukhali, Boga, Amtali, 3 out of 5 at Bekutia and 3 out of 4 at Khepupara are broken down also.
The ferry terminals at Goma, Lakkhipasha, and Shaitpakia are operating with only one ferry at each terminal for a long time.
Not only that, the ferry terminals at Baroitala, Lakkhipasha and Charkhali are now in dilapidated condition and they could be shut down at any time, said Habibur Rahman, sub-divisional engineer and acting-in-charge of Barisal ferry sub-division.
Engines of most of the ferry vessels are more than 25 years old and beyond repairing.
Sufficient fund is needed to replace those old and out-of-order engines, said ferry department officials.
Khalid Saifullah, a regular passenger of Kirtankhola and Laharhut ferry crossing points, said lack of proper maintenance, repair, using sub-standard fuel, purchasing low quality engines and spare parts etc are responsible for the breakdown of the ferry vessels.
