News Desk :
Ferry services along the Shimulia-Kathalbari route has been suspended again from early Sunday afternoon due to poor navigability through a stretch of the River Padma.
On the other hand, in spite of dumping sacks containing sand, it has become almost impossible stop erosion of the river at Ghat number three. The Ghat
and adjoining areas are gradually disappearing in the river Padma. Inhabitants and traders living and doing business around the Ghat have become panic stricken.
Witnesses said playing of ferries along the Shimulia-Kathalbari route was suspended early Sunday afternoon after two days of experimental operations. Dredging is going on to resolve poor navigability at Louhajang turning point. Though the ferry operation was resumed on Friday after consecutive nine days of suspension, ferries were plying during the day-time only in limited scale.
As a result, hundreds of passengers on both side of Shimulia and Kathalbari landing points got stuck. Many were seen crossing the river by motor launches and speedboats, leaving their buses and minibuses. Many were found waiting for launches along with families to cross the river.
BIWTC’s AGM Md Shafiqul Islam said even small ferries couldn’t ply due to poor navigability in the river. On the other hand, New Ghat Number 3 of Shimulbaria is facing extreme risks due to continuous river erosion. Different installations have been shifted in the wake of erosion. In order to save the ghat from strong current and constant erosion of the river Padma, only the sand containing sacks are being dumped into the river.
BIWTA’s deputy assistant engineer Haris Ahmed Patwary said Shimulia has now become devastated due to the constant erosion over the last two months.
