Strong current continue disrupting ferry services on Padma

Strong current coupled with rising water level continued disrupting ferry services on two major routes on the River Padma on Sunday, inflicting miseries to passengers and truckers.
Thousands of passengers to and from the south and south-western districts faced ordeal from Tuesday to cross the Paturia-Daulatdia and the Shimulia-Kathalbari river routes.
Hundreds of vehicles, mostly bus and goods-laden trucks, remained stuck behind the respective pontoons for hours, creating tailbacks stretching over few kilometres on Sunday.
New Age correspondent in Manikganj reported that as the ferry services on Paturia-Daulatdia route hampered from Tuesday, traffic tailback continued on the both ends of the Padma.
About 500 vehicles were seen lined up at Paturia and Daulatdia ferry terminal areas at 5:00pm on Sunday.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation’s Aricha regional office deputy general manager Zillur Rhaman said that 15 ferries were in operation on Paturia-Daulatdia route, but due to increased water on the Padma-Jamuna river system, the ferries were taking long time to cross the river.
The situation reduced the number of ferry trips, and the number of vehicles waiting for the crossing was increasing gradually, he said.
Corporation’s marine officer Abdus Sattar said that the ferries needed double the normal time cross the river due to heavy current.
Because of increase in the water, the pontoons of both the ends were being lifted and the loading and unloading of the vehicles were being hampered, he said.
Truck driver Abdul Malek said he had been waiting at Paturia ferry ghat for the past two days.
He said that he did not know how long he had to wait. Benapol-bound truck drive Jallil Mia also echoed Malek. 
The authority was giving priorities to bus, microbus and car to ease the suffering of the passengers, officials said.
New Age correspondent in Munshinganj reported that about 600 vehicles remained stuck at Lauhjang in Munshiganj as the vehicles were waiting for crossing Shimulia-Kathalbari route.
BIWTA Shimulia point manager Abdul Alim said that the ferries were taking about four hours, double the usual time, due to strong current.
He said that the current was turning whirlpool at Lauhajang point, forcing the ferries to be slowed.
Trucker Shamsuddin said that he was supposed to go to Jessore, but had remained stuck for three days. 

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net