Ferry services on the Rowmari–Chilmari river route over the Brahmaputra have remained suspended for the past two months due to acute navigability problems. This is causing severe hardship for commuters and disrupting trade across three northern districts.
The ferry service between Phularchar Ghat in Rowmari Upazila and Ramna Ghat in Chilmari Upazila was launched on 20 September 2023, raising hopes of improved connectivity in Kurigram, Lalmonirhat and Gaibandha.
However, from the outset, the route has struggled with persistent siltation, and ferry operations have remained closed for most of the year on the pretext of navigability constraints.
As a result, what was expected to ease travel and boost commerce has instead become a symbol of uncertainty, losses and recurring public suffering, locals said.
Passengers, office-goers and goods-laden vehicles are now forced to take long alternative routes, doubling travel time and significantly increasing transport costs.
The disruption is also affecting the movement of agricultural produce, supply chains and emergency travel on a regular basis, according to traders and residents.
Sources at Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) in Chilmari said the distance between Phularchar Ghat and Ramna Ghat is around 26 kilometres, making it one of the longest ferry routes in the country.
Residents of Rowmari and Rajibpur, both geographically cut off from the mainland, have to cross the river daily to reach the district headquarters.
An official of the Chilmari river port, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) is incurring losses of around Tk14–15 lakh every month due to the shutdown.
The official added that idle ferries are also suffering mechanical damage, while the absence of permanent dredging, high- and low-water ghats and night navigation facilities has further reduced operational capacity.
He said the lack of urgency from the authorities concerned has made it difficult to resume ferry operations on a regular basis.
BIWTA Dredging Division Sub-Assistant Engineer Kamruzzaman said the Chilmari–Rowmari ferry route stretches about 26 kilometres and requires year-round dredging due to heavy siltation.
He said dredging work had remained suspended for several months due to local resistance, but limited excavation is now underway using two government dredgers.
BIWTC Chilmari Ghat Manager (Commercial) Prafulla Chauhan said ferry operations have remained closed for the last two months because of severe siltation and the emergence of submerged sandbars.
He said several ferry passages have become completely blocked, leaving little chance of resuming services outside the monsoon season.
He added that the continued suspension is pushing BIWTC further into financial losses.
