Bagerhat Correspondent :
Thousands of passengers have been suffering since Friday last due to the suspension of the ferry service in the river Panguchi at Morrelganj on Bagerhat-Bogi (Sundarban forest) -via Morrelganj and Sharankhola Highway without arranging any alternative system, it is alleged.
The suspension of the ferry service will continue for long one week. For this reason plying of ambulances carrying serious patients, the vehicles carrying tourists and buses carrying the passengers between Sharankhola and other important places of the country like Dhaka, Chittagong, Barishal, Khuln, Bagerhat are also suspended. As a result, the patients, tourists and passengers are now forced to cross the mighty river Panguchi by small boats risking their lives to reach their destinations. Moreover, innumerable water vessels like oil tankers, cargoes, rocket steamers etc. move on the river. So, boat mishap can take place in the river at any time. This has created a strong resentment among the people of the localities.
It is reported that the gang way of one of the landing pontoon of the ferry ghat under Morrelganj Upazila in Bagerhat district became worn out and dilapidated. In order to replace the gangway this important ferry service was suspended by the Roads and Highways department of Bagerhat district for long one week. People of Sharankhola Upazila cannot go outside of the Upazila without crossing the river Panguchi.
The people of the Upazila are the worst sufferers. It is the high time for the tourists to visit Sundarban forest. But due to the suspension of the ferry service the tourists cannot go to Sundarban. On the other hand, Sharankhola Upazila was badly affecte by the devastating Sidr cyclone in the year 2007. In order to protect the upazila from cyclone and water surge a high raised and durable embankment is being constructed there by a Chinese construction farm. Every day different kinds of vehicles are to move hither and thither of the farm but due to the suspension of the ferry service the vehicle cannot move and construction of the embankment is being hampered.
Md. Anisuzzaman, Executive Engineer , Roads and Highways Department of Bagerhat admitted the suspension of the ferry service for one week for the greater interest of the people.
He added, the condition of the gangway of a landing pontoon became totally unfit for the movement of vehicles.
