Ferry operation in the old channel at Paturia-Daulatdia route has stopped again. BIWTC said RO-RO ferry ‘Birsreshtha Motiur Rahman’ was stuck while navigating through the old channel halting ferry operations at 10pm Monday.
Meanwhile, dredging is on to prepare a new channel for navigation.
BIWTC manager (commerce) at Aricha, Bidyut Kumar Saha said ‘Birsreshtha Motiur Rahman’ was rescued and brought to Paturia at around 9am Tuesday.
Dredging work to form a new channel is on since the water level at the old channel is abnormally low, said Bidyut Kumar.
Navigation of small ferries through the new channel has been started on experimental basis since Monday evening. But the channel could not be opened for passage since vessels are getting stuck in it as well.
Meanwhile, the suspension of ferry services has caused a traffic congestion of goods-laden trucks. However, there is no passenger bus in that tailback.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan held a meeting with leaders of the association of Bus owners on Aug 31 in an effort to relieve passengers of trouble.
The meeting decided to temporary stop buses from crossing Paturia-Daulatdia.
BIWTC said trucks and small cars are being crossed on two small ferries. Very few buses are using the terminal.-bdnews24.com
