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Ferry services on the Chilmari-Roumari route across the Brahmaputra River in Kurigram have remained suspended for 16 days due to navigability problems, causing severe hardship for passengers and transport operators.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) said the service was suspended on August 14 because of low water levels at the Roumari terminal and the Two Hundred Bigha area.
The route was officially inaugurated on September 20, 2023, with three ferries. However, two ferries—Begum Sufia Kamal and Kunjalata—were later withdrawn, leaving only the Kadam ferry in operation.
According to BIWTC Chilmari Assistant Manager Akib Sohel Akash, ferry services have been suspended for 542 of the 1,065 days since the route opened, mainly due to navigability problems.
Trucks were seen stranded at the Chilmari terminal on Saturday. Drivers said the suspension was forcing them to return or take longer routes, increasing both travel time and costs.
Local residents called for more effective dredging to restore navigability. BIWTC officials said dredging was underway at the Two Hundred Bigha area, but work at the Roumari terminal had reportedly stopped.
BIWTA Executive Engineer Samir Chandra Pal said dredging at Roumari had been halted after locals allegedly obstructed the work. However, residents denied the allegation, claiming the work had stopped because of negligence by the authorities.
Kurigram-4 MP Mostafizur Rahman said he had requested the shipping minister and state minister to ensure round-the-clock ferry services on the route and take immediate steps to ease public suffering.