Thousands of passengers, including children and women, who are returning to Dhaka after Eid-ul-Azha holidays went through immense suffering as ferry service on the Paturia-Daulatdia route has been facing disruption due to strong current and poor navigability in the Padma.
It takes around eleven to twelve hours to get on a ferry at Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari's Goalanda, said passengers.
Over 150 vehicles, mostly buses and goods-laden trucks, were seen stuck in long tailbacks on both sides of the river.
At Daulatdia ferry terminal, flow of vehicles began to increase yesterday morning as the ferries took twice the time required for each trip due to strong currents, said Bangladesh Inland Shipping Corporation (BIWTC) Daulatdia Ghat Branch Manager Abu Abdullah Rony.
Seventeen out of 18 ferries, including eight Ro-Ro, three K-type and six utility ferries, were now operating, he added. The ferries were often breaking down, said Rony, adding that one to two of the 18 ferries had to be repaired in the floating workshop.
Ro-Ro Ferry Bhasha Shaheed Barkat was being repaired in the floating workshop at Paturia terminal, he added.
Women, children, the elderly and patients were suffering most. Outside the terminal, passengers also suffered due to lack of restroom facilities.
However, the district police diverted traffic from the Dhaka Aricha Highway. The police took the move after at least 500 vehicles remained stuck at the Paturia Ghat waiting to cross the mighty Padma, said Rajbari Superintendent of Police Mizanur Rahman.
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