The Padma River has already devoured significant portions of the Paturia ferry and launch terminals, yet no substantial protective measures have been taken as two government agencies remain locked in an administrative standoff.
So far, the river has swallowed large parts of ferry terminals 3, 4, and 5, along with the entire launch terminal. However, vital riverbank protection work remains stalled due to a jurisdictional dispute between the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), reports UNB.
While the BIWTA claims that river training falls under the BWDB’s mandate, the latter insists that maintenance and protection of ferry infrastructure are BIWTA’s responsibility. This bureaucratic tug of war has left one of the country’s key river crossings the Paturia-Daulatdia route at serious risk, despite the partial relief brought by the Padma Bridge.
The ferry route remains a crucial lifeline, connecting 21 southwestern districts to Dhaka and other parts of the country. With river erosion intensifying during the monsoon, local residents fear that the remaining terminals could soon be lost unless coordinated action is taken immediately.
Witnesses say the erosion reached alarming levels on August 5 when strong river currents collapsed one jetty and three supporting pillars at the launch terminal which fully disappeared by nightfall. Over the following days, erosion extended to nearby ferry terminals, damaging pontoons and ramps.
On August 7, the BIWTA attempted to slow the erosion by dumping 400 geo-bags, which proved ineffective against the strong currents. The situation deteriorated further on August 8 when terminal 4’s ramp and pontoon were torn off and later recovered 1.5 kilometres downstream. A further 700 geo-bags were deployed in the following days, but locals described the effort as inadequate.
On August 17, frustrated by the lack of decisive action, hundreds of local residents staged a protest at the ferry ghat, demanding urgent intervention.
Abdus Salam, Acting Deputy General Manager of BIWTC’s Aricha office, acknowledged the worsening conditions. “We are trying to keep services running, but strong currents and severe erosion are making operations increasingly difficult,” he said.
Nepal Chandra Debnath, Executive Engineer of BIWTA’s Aricha River Port, termed the erosion “unprecedented” in recent decades. “We’re placing geo-bags daily, but the current is too strong. River training typically falls under the Water Development Board. We’ve already informed both the ministry and BWDB,” he added.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Akhtaruzzaman, Executive Engineer of the Manikganj Water Development Board, shifted responsibility back to BIWTA. “Ferry terminal management is BIWTA’s responsibility. We only offer technical support if requested,” he said.
Following an on-site visit, BIWTA’s Chief Engineer Md Mohidul Islam described the erosion as a natural occurrence. He proposed altering the river’s flow by creating a central channel to reduce future erosion risks.
He further revealed that a major river training project initiated in 2019 had been discontinued in 2023. “The government is considering a new protection project under the Water Development Board, but it is still awaiting inter-ministerial approval,” he added.
Meanwhile, ferry services continue on a limited scale as authorities scramble to contain further damage with thousands of commuters left in uncertainty.