Unsafe passenger boats continue to operate illegally on the turbulent Padma River in Nazirganj of Sujanagar Upazila, allegedly ignoring a High Court stay order and collecting tolls without valid approval, raising fears of a major accident.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has already termed the operation illegal and requested the district administration to take action. However, the administration says it has no specific information about who is collecting tolls in the name of passenger transport.
Locals allege that an influential group, with help from some unscrupulous officials, has been operating the ferry service for a long time without any legal approval or valid lease. They warned that carrying passengers on small boats during the monsoon season, when the Padma remains rough and swollen, poses a serious safety risk.
During a recent visit, it was found that hundreds of passengers cross the river every day between Nazirganj Ghat in Pabna and Dhowapara Ghat in Rajbari using shallow-engine boats. Although government ferries and speedboats are also operating on the same route, the unauthorised boats continue to carry passengers and collect tolls.
Passengers are reportedly being charged between Tk50 and Tk200 for each trip.
BIWTA had sent a letter to the Pabna deputy commissioner on 21 April requesting action to shut down the illegal ferry ghat. In response, the district administration said on 14 May that it was not aware of any unauthorised ferry operation.
Meanwhile, on 16 July, the High Court extended the stay order for another six months in a writ petition related to the Nazirganj ferry ghat. Despite the court order, illegal passenger transport and toll collection continue within the boundaries of Nazirganj River Port.
Toll collectors at the ghat claimed that they were operating the service under the instruction of local BNP leader Dr Abdus Salam. However, Salam denied the allegation.
“The people who own the boats are operating the ferry service to facilitate passenger movement. I did not set up this ghat. Do I have any authority to establish a ferry ghat there?” he said.
BIWTA Nazirganj River Port Assistant Port and Transport Officer Gazi Md Abdul Motalib said unauthorised individuals were operating boats and collecting tolls illegally.
“We have informed the district administration about the illegal toll collection and passenger transport. In reply, the deputy commissioner informed us that no permission had been given for such activities,” he said.
Pabna Deputy Commissioner Aminul Islam said the government was responsible for ensuring public safety.
“We will soon assess the situation on the ground with the help of the local administration and take necessary steps in consultation with BIWTA,” he said.
