The Badnatali to Charkajal ferry service in Patukahli’s Galachipa was launched in 2018 with the aim to bring Charkajal, Charbishas and Charmontaj Union, which are cut off from the mainland of the upazila, under road communication networks.
However, this ferry service is currently closed for unknown reasons. The ferry service was shut down within a few months of inception. If the ferry service is kept open, Sonarchar, a potential tourist destination and Eco Park, will become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.
The ferry was launched on the Bura Gauranga river at the initiative of late AKM Jahangir Hossain, MP, at the time. The ferry service was launched to revolutionize the fortunes of the farmers and to bring economical prosperity and affluence.
Steps were also taken at that time to widen paved roads from Charakpalbera, Charshiba, Charkajal, Chhota Charkajal, Charmaya, Nomorweis of Charbishas Union. If this ferry service is re-launched and another ferry service is launched through any place of Char Fashion in Bhola district, a great system of road communication with Bhola district could be developed there.
Bhola already has a road connection with Chattogram through Feni district. If this ferry route is re-launched, many garment workers and laborers of Patuakhali district including Galachipa woyuld not have to go to Chattogram by spending extra time and money through Dhaka or Chandpur.
Badnatali Ferry Ghat toll collector Md Mansur said, “The pontoon of the ferry ghat was damaged by cyclone ‘Foni’. Authorities at that time took away the damaged pontoon for repair work. Since the platoon has not been returned.”
Sayem Gazi, a fish trader from Char Agasti village in Char Biswas Union, said, “We are in dire straits due to the closure of the ferry service. There was no alternative to the ferry to market fish, watermelon, rice in particular. I urge the concerned authorities to reopen the ferry service as soon as possible.”
Ashraf Uzzaman, a social worker from the same area, said the ferry service was essential for the development of the Char region. If the ferry is re-launched, the appearance of the area will change so it is necessary to re-launch the ferry very soon.
Charbisas UP Chairman Tofazzal Hossain Babul Munshi said Charkajal and Charbisas Unions consist of 25 Chars. These two unions have a special reputation in the field of of paddy, watermelon and rabi grain production.
For the last half a century, people in the area have had to rely on waterways for transportation and transportation of goods. As a result, farmers are being deprived of getting a fair price for their produce. If this ferry service is launched in Panura, farmers or traders will be able to make a profit by transporting paddy, watermelon and other crops by road to any part of the country and selling them at a fair price.
Char Kajal UP Chairman. Saidur Rahman Rubel Mollah said, if the ferry service was re-launched, the farmers of my area would get a fair price for the crops produced. The sick mothers and sisters had to cross the Buragauranga river for treatment and go to Galachipa and Patuakhali hospitals by trawler. It takes a lot of time. It is time to launch the ferry.
He further said that recently SM Shahzada, Member of Parliament for Patuakhali-3 constituency, also raised the demand of a hospital in the Great National Assembly for the area.
Galachipa Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ashish Kumar said efforts would be made to resolve the issue soon in consultation with the higher authorities of the Roads and Highways Department.
