One of the jetties in Paturia Ferry Ghat in Shibaloy Upazila, Manikganj has collapsed due to the strong currents of the Padma River, causing immense suffering to the passengers in the area.
Authorities have warned that another jetty is at serious risk of collapse. As a result, thousands of passengers are now forced to board and disembark from ferries under dangerous conditions daily.
Paturia Ferry Ghat is a vital transportation route for people from 21 districts in the southwestern part of Bangladesh. Every day, thousands of passengers and vehicles cross the Padma River using this route.
Locals have expressed their concerns, stating that this issue arises every monsoon season, but authorities fail to take adequate precautions in advance. Due to the lack of timely action, a significant disaster has now occurred.
Panna Lal Nandi, the manager of Paturia Ferry Ghat, explained, “Due to the powerful current in the river, the soil beneath the jetty’s pillars is shifting. This has caused one jetty to completely collapse. The other jetty is also in a dangerous state. If immediate action is not taken, it may collapse at any moment.”
Mohammad Selim Sheikh, deputy director of BIWTA’s Aricha River Port, stated, “As soon as we became aware of the incident, we took the necessary steps. A team has already been dispatched to the site. Since this is an extremely crucial ferry route, we have decided to temporarily relocate ferry operations to our reserve No. 2 ferry terminal to alleviate passenger difficulties.”
He further added, “Since it is currently the monsoon season, the collapsed jetties cannot be repaired immediately. For now, we will recover and preserve them. After the monsoon, when conditions improve, the jetties will be permanently repaired and restored to their full function.”
Meanwhile, passengers and relevant authorities are urging the government to take swift and permanent action to ensure safety and prevent further damage.