Ferry services on Aricha-Kazirhat route halted again

Ferry services on the Aricha-Kazirhat route have been suspended again due to poor navigability, leaving more than 300 goods-laden vehicles stranded on the river.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) made the announcement about the suspension of the ferry services around 11pm on Friday (November 8).

The stranded truck driver Abdur Rahim said, “I came from Narayanganj to Aricha ghat yesterday (Friday) evening to go to Rajshahi. I am waiting here for the ferry till 11:30 am today (Saturday). Ferry services remained suspended. Now I am thinking of an alternative route to reach my destination. We use this waterway as it is comfortable and easy to cross the river by ferry. But I am in trouble due to the suspension of the ferry service.”

Abu Abdullah, manager of BIWTC at the Aricha point, said several ferries were stuck on hidden shoals on Friday night due to the poor navigability in the Padma River, forcing the authorities to halt ferry services.

Finally, ferry services on the Aricha-Kazirhat route were suspended at 11pm on Friday after a ferry got stuck on a hidden shoal in a remote area near Aricha, he said.

A total of over 300 goods-laden vehicles were stranded on both the Padma River due to the suspension of ferry services.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) started dredging work, and ferry services will resume once the work is completed.

Earlier, the ferry services on the Aricha-Kazirhat route were suspended due to poor navigability for 37 hours starting at 10pm on November 1.