Pabna, Oct 08 (V7N) – Ferry services on the Nazirganj-Dhawapara route connecting Pabna and Rajbari districts have been suspended again due to increased river currents, causing significant inconvenience to passengers and transport users.
Authorities said ferry operations became risky after the river current suddenly intensified. The service had remained suspended for 16 days from Sept 7 before resuming on Sept 23. However, ferry operations have been suspended again since Oct 5.
The route is an important direct waterway connecting the two districts. With ferry services halted, passengers and vehicles are being forced to take alternative routes, increasing both travel time and transportation costs.
Passengers and local residents said disruptions on the route are not new. They alleged that ferry services are frequently suspended whenever river currents increase. According to them, inadequate ferry capacity, aging and weak vessels, poor terminal management and navigability problems regularly disrupt crossings.
They said strong river currents are a natural feature of the waterway and called on the authorities to ensure adequate ferries and infrastructure capable of operating safely under such conditions.
Arifur Rahman, a businessman from Sujanagar in Pabna, said he regularly travels on the route.
“I was relieved when ferry services resumed after being suspended for several days. Now they have been suspended again, leaving us in serious trouble. It would benefit everyone if the authorities resumed the service as soon as possible,” he said.
Rajbari passenger Monirul Islam said he had been using the route for years and frequently faced such disruptions.
“This route saves us both time and money. Now we have to take longer alternative routes, which is increasing both travel time and expenses,” he said.
Local resident Abdul Latif said the ferries operating on the route were in poor condition.
“The ferries appear so weak that during a storm, we fear they could be damaged. We urge the authorities to introduce new ferries on this route and end the suffering of passengers,” he said.
M N A Al Shibli, manager of the BIWTC Nazirganj-Dhawapara ferry service, said the decision to suspend operations was taken to ensure passenger safety.
“Ferry services have been temporarily suspended because the river current has increased again,” he said.
He said the ferries were sufficiently strong and suitable for operating on the route, and there were no infrastructural problems affecting ferry operations.
“However, we will not operate the ferries at risk until the river current returns to normal. The service will resume once conditions become favorable,” he added.
END/MSR/SMA/
