Passengers and drivers are apprehending widespread sufferings from traffic jam at Shimulia ferry ghat during Eid due to the lack of sufficient docks, although the number of ferries is satisfactory.
Due to the one way traffic at Maoa highway only five kilometres away from Shimulia ferry ghat, the possibility of suffering remains even though the Munshiganj district administration has taken several initiatives centering the ghat in an aim to decrease the agonies of home-bound passengers.

Passengers fear the problem might start from Maoa crossing on the highway.
In a preparatory meeting over law and order situation, on June 4, presided over by DC Shayla Farzana, the district administration decided to ensure bus and launch journey without additional fare; stop plying vehicles without fitness certificate; deploy sufficient number of law enforcers at the ghat including an executive magistrate during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.
However, Bangladesh Inner Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) assistant general manager of Shimulia ghat Khaled Newaz apprehended passenger sufferings even after obtaining those decisions.
He on Friday told the Bangla Tribune: “At present 16 ferries are in operation at the ghat. Four more ferries are expected to join before the Eid. But it is almost impossible to load and unload vehicles through three general and one VIP ghats only. Moreover, there is a small navigability crisis at Louhajang channel on the naval route. Although BIWTA has assured to dredge the point before Eid, we are not free of tension.”
“The flow of vehicles toward Maoa highway after being unloaded from ferries might create a traffic gridlock because due to ongoing road construction works, vehicles ply on one side of the highway, creating possibility of sufferings for the commuters. District and highway police, however, assured the June 4 meeting that they would address the issue.”
In reply to a query over bribery of ghat officials, Khaled said, “Although it happened earlier, this would not happen this year, I can assure.”
More than 500 law enforcers would be deployed during the Eid to maintain law and order, he informed.