Staff Reporter :
The Daulatdia-Paturia river route has been facing extreme pressure of vehicular movement due to the closure of the Shimulia and Banglabazar Ghats on the occasion of the inauguration of the country’s longest Padma Bridge and the strong currents in the river.
Sources said that strong currents in the Padma are hampering the smooth movement of the ferries and it was taking much time to carry the people and goods-loaded transports through the Paturia-Daulatdia river route on Friday.
Generally, it takes 35-45 minutes to cross the three kilometers Paturia-Daulatdia river route but now it is taking more than one hour for the ferries due to the strong currents and rise of water level in the river Padma.
At least 300 trucks were stranded at the Paturia Truck Terminal while 150 buses were stranded on the way from Paturia Zero Point to Fire Service Point, and around 400 small transports were stranded on the Ghat area on Friday.
Over 100 goods-loaded trucks were stranded on the Uthuli Connection Road for hours to cross the Paturia Ghat.
Sultan Ahmed, a truck driver bound for Faridpur said that he was in the queue of the trucks to enter the Truck Terminal since morning but he could not till noon.
He also said that the pressure of transports had increased since Thursday night.
Md Shahid, Officer-in-Charge of Shibalaya Police Station said that the pressure of vehicles was huge on Friday. “We are trying to manage the smooth movement of the vehicles,” he added.
Khaled Newaz, Deputy Manager of BIWTC Aricha office said, “The ferry movement on Shimulia Banglabazar is suspended. As a result the vehicular pressure has been intensified. Besides, it is taking much time for the ferries to carry people and goods due to strong currents of the river.”
Due to the extreme pressure of vehicles, the Paturia Ghat authority is allowing the vehicles to cross the river based on their necessity.
The private cars, long route vehicles and emergency goods carrying vehicles were getting priority to cross the river.
Ferry Ghat authority said some 20 ferries out of 21 had been carrying the people and goods-carrying vehicles.
Sources said that over the last few days the currents in the Padma river have been intensified and it was hampering the smooth movement of ferries.
“Every year people and drivers face some sort of troubles while travelling through the Paturia-Daulatdia river route during monsoon. The strong currents hamper the smooth movement of the ferries. The number of ferry trips is also reduced. As a result, the sufferings of people are doubled,” BIWTC said.
BIWTC said that when the Padma Bridge will open on Saturday it will cut the troubles of people to a great extent.
