Over 2 lakh people likely to leave Dhaka by waterways

The number of passengers traveling via waterways from Dhaka during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holiday likely to be higher compared of Eid-ul-Fitr. Over 20 lakh people are expected to leave Dhaka through river ports.

People from Dhaka and adjacent districts are expected to travel to coastal districts from Thursday (June 13) to Sunday.

Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF) said, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, 2.25 lakh people from Dhaka region will go to various coastal districts including greater Barishal. But this time the Eid journey period is only four days and so, the pressure on waterway transports will be high.

SCRF president Ashish Kumar Dey said that the number of passengers on the waterway has decreased due to the Padma Bridge. But still the capacity to transport the passengers is inadequate, especially during Eid, he said.

According to the data of the National Committee for Protection of Sea, Road and Railway, 95 percent of Dhaka's seafarers will use the Dhaka River Port (Sadarghat).

President of the National Committee Mohammad Shaheed Mia said as there is pressure of excess passengers, there is also risk of accidents. So, all the authorities concerned should be more vigilant.

Source: UNB