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Ferry services at Terminal No. 7 on the Daulatdia end of the Daulatdia-Paturia route have remained suspended since Thursday night due to a navigability crisis caused by strong currents and heavy siltation, causing significant suffering for passengers and drivers.
Bashir Ahmed Khan, assistant manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) at Daulatdia, confirmed the closure after 10:30pm on Friday.
A visit to the area on Friday afternoon found long queues of trucks, buses and other vehicles stretching about two kilometres from the Daulatdia terminal’s zero point along the highway. Many passengers were seen waiting inside buses and private vehicles.
According to BIWTC, there are seven ferry terminals on the Daulatdia side on paper, but only three—Terminals 3, 4 and 7—had been operational. Terminal 7, however, has been out of service since Thursday night as ferries cannot safely berth there due to siltation.
Terminals 3 and 4 remain operational, while around 10 ferries, both large and small, are currently operating on the Daulatdia-Paturia route.
“Strong currents have caused heavy siltation, creating a navigability crisis. Ferries cannot berth at Terminal 7 and get stuck when they try,” Bashir Ahmed Khan said.
He said dredging would be required before the terminal could reopen safely. “Dredging may begin within 10 to 15 days. It will take additional time to complete, after which the terminal will be reopened,” he added.
Goalanda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saiful Huda said a sandbar had formed near Terminal 7, forcing its closure.
“We are monitoring the situation through police to ensure the safety of passengers and vehicles. We have discussed the issue with the relevant authorities, who have said that urgent dredging measures will be taken,” he said.
However, he said it was not yet possible to confirm when the terminal would resume operations.
Several attempts were made to contact Hasan Ahmed, executive engineer of the Aricha Dredging Division under the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), for comment, but he did not answer the calls.