Eid journey of thousands of homebound people in the southern region is likely to be disrupted as the operation of two new jetties at the Doulatdia end of the Padma River in Rajbari is yet to start.
With the latest two, the tally of the jetties stands at six, which is supposed to tackle the additional pressure of vehicles during Eid holiday and home goers’ sufferings while crossing the river.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) officer Shafiqul Islam said, “Authorities have decided to start six jetties and run 19 ferries on Doulatdia-Paturai route for the smooth journey of thousands of Eid holidaymakers.
“At present, a total of 17 small and big size ferries are operating to carry passengers and vehicles,” said Islam, who is the manager at BIWTA’s Doulatdia office.
Goalnada Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abu Nasar told Bangla Tribune, “Rajbari deputy commissioner proposed for building two new jetties when Shipping Minister Shahjan Khan and Shipping Secretary Abdus Samad made separate visits at the Doutandia jetty recently.”
Following their assurance, two separate pontoons have been brought here and vehicle movement will be easier if six jetties can run simultaneously, Nasar said.
Operation of these new pontoons requires more manpower and machinery, which are yet to be procured.
If the new jetties can’t start functioning on time, passengers and vehicles crossing may be disrupted during Eid holidays.
On spot visit, two pontoons of BIWTA are seen floating at Doulatdia to build the two new jetties there.
Workers were seen filling bricks and sacks of sands to build the connecting road for the jetties.
Speaking to Bangla Tribune, several workers said, “Present manpower, as well as necessary machinery, is not adequate to start the operation of the pontoons and jetties.”
Taking opposite stance, BIWTA’s Aricha office Deputy Assistant Engineer Shah Alam said, “All preparation is set to launch the two additional jetties.
“New manpower will be appointed within a week with supplying necessary machinery to start jetties’ operation,” Alam said.