Ferry services on the Daulatdia-Paturia route have been suspended for two weeks following rising water levels and strong river currents, causing significant disruption for daily commuters and transport operators.
Locals reported that launches and ferries are now taking almost twice as long to cross the river. Smaller vessels have been temporarily withdrawn from service, and in some cases, launches have been moored away from the main pontoons near residential areas due to their inability to withstand the force of the current.
A visit to Daulatdia revealed that no launches were docked at the usually bustling pontoons. Passengers, ticket checkers, and hawkers were seen waiting, while the pontoons occasionally shook under the pressure of the river flow. Red flags were placed on poles to alert operators. Two launches were anchored near homesteads east of the pontoon.
Kazi Shafik, in charge of MV Nipu-1, said, “The current is so strong that we can neither dock nor anchor the launch at the pontoon. What used to take 20–22 minutes now takes up to 50 minutes. Only one launch is being operated at a time to maintain service.”
Shah Alam Bepari, a private university student traveling on MV Nazir Express, shared his frustration: “It took us 47 minutes to cross the river today. Earlier, the same journey took just 20 minutes.”
Murad Mia, master of MV Nazir Express, explained that the water level has been rising steadily over the past two weeks, with the strong currents nearly doubling the time needed to dock and travel.
Operators reported that ferries are also struggling, with their engines running at higher power to counter the current. Journeys that usually take 30–35 minutes are now taking up to an hour. Smaller and less powerful ferries have been pulled from service.
Mohammad Salah Uddin, AGM of BIWTC’s Daulatdia office, confirmed that only 12 out of 16 ferries are currently operating on the route due to the strong currents and reduced traffic pressure.