Ferry services on the Nazirganj-Dhawapara route across the Padma River have been suspended again due to strong currents, disrupting a vital transport link between Pabna and Rajbari and forcing passengers onto longer, more expensive alternative routes.
The latest suspension began on 5 October, less than two weeks after operations resumed on 23 September following a 16-day shutdown that started on 7 September.
Authorities said a sudden surge in the river’s current had made navigation unsafe.
The repeated disruptions have hit regular commuters, traders, and other passengers who rely on the crossing for direct travel between the two districts.
Passengers and local residents said ferry suspensions had become routine whenever the Padma’s current picked up.
They blamed the recurring problem on a shortage of suitable vessels, ageing hulls, poor terminal management, and navigability issues.
They argued that strong river currents were a predictable seasonal occurrence and that authorities should deploy ferries and infrastructure capable of operating safely in such conditions.
The frequent closures have raised further doubts about the reliability of the route, which offers a significantly shorter and cheaper connection between Pabna and Rajbari.
Ariful Rahman, a businessman from Sujanagar in Pabna, said the disruptions had made planning regular travel nearly impossible.
“I use this route regularly. Ferry services resumed after being suspended for several days, only to be stopped again,” he said. “We are facing serious difficulties. A quick resumption would benefit everyone.”
Monirul Islam, a commuter from Rajbari, said he had relied on the crossing for years but frequently encountered the same issues.
“This route saves both time and money. Now we have to take alternative routes, which increases our travel time and expenses,” he said.
Local resident Abdul Latif questioned the fitness of the vessels operating on the crossing, calling for modern replacements.
“The ferries on this route are in very poor condition. Whenever there is a storm, it feels as though they might fall apart,” he said.
“We want the authorities to introduce new ferries and end the suffering of passengers.”
However, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) rejected claims that the vessels were unfit for the crossing.
MNA Al Shibli, manager of the BIWTC’s Nazirganj-Dhawapara ferry service, insisted operations had been suspended solely to ensure passenger safety.
“The river’s current has increased again, so ferry services have been suspended temporarily,” he said.
He maintained that the ferries were sufficiently powerful and suitable for the route, adding that there were no infrastructure-related issues affecting operations.
Shibli said authorities would not risk operating the vessels until river conditions normalised.
“The service will resume once conditions become favourable,” he said.
For now, passengers remain dependent on long detours, with no confirmed date for the resumption of ferry services across the Padma.
