Manikganj's Paturia-Daulatdia and Aricha-Kazirhat routes are one of the means of communication between the 21 districts of the southwestern region of the country with the capital Dhaka. Since the inauguration of the Padma Bridge, the proportional rate of vehicle crossing on these two waterways has decreased, but it increases several times during the Eid season.
During Eid-ul-Fitr, Paturia is crowded with vehicles and passengers leaving the capital. However, on Eid-ul-Azha, the pressure on both the Paturia-Daulatdia ghats increases due to the increase in the number of animal-carrying vehicles going to the capital and the traffic and passengers leaving the capital. Although various initiatives have been taken to avoid the suffering of these additional vehicles and passengers, there is a fear of suffering. The ghat concerned claim that Paturia-Daulatdia and Aricha-Kazirhat will not suffer even if the pressure increases.
Recently, Minister of Shipping Rajib Ahsan and Minister of State for Water Resources Farhad Hossain gave various instructions to avoid suffering after visiting Paturia Ghat.
It has been observed on the surface that the flow in the channel of Aricha-Kazirhat waterway has increased due to the increase in water in the river. The 13 km ferry crossing from Aricha to Kazirhat takes between one and a half hours to one hour and 40 minutes during normal hours. Due to the current, ferries currently have to spend 2 hours to cross the waterway. However, the ferries from Kazirhat to Arichamukhi take an hour and thirty minutes to return. Ferries to Kazirhat take at least 20 minutes extra per trip due to currents.
Geo bags have been placed in Paturia ferry ghat area to prevent erosion. However, even though the road from the pontoon to the link has been worked on recently, transporters are feeling that it may need to be repaired with little rain. They said, because the roads to load and unload the cars in the ferry are steep, the drivers have to get a lot of speed. Due to this, it takes more time for vehicles to get on and off the ferry in the ghat area. If there is an increase in the number of passenger and livestock vehicles, it will take longer than usual to board the ferry via the pontoon road. As a result, the number of vehicles in the ghat area may increase.
Transport drivers feel that this road to board the ferry can cause suffering during rains.
Meanwhile, the Paturia-Daulatdia launch ghat has been repeatedly hit by erosion and is being removed to avoid accidents. Although five ferry ghats are operational, there is a danger that ghat number five will be closed if the water rises by three meters.
Vehicle drivers said that the biggest problem during the Eid season is being stuck in traffic for a long time. Although the number of ferries has been increased, crossing the river on time is often hampered due to river currents and technical limitations.
Monir Hossain, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shivaloy Police Station said, “Special measures have been taken to control the overall security and traffic congestion in Paturia and Aricha ghat areas. Additional police will be deployed in the ghat and surrounding areas. Checkposts will be set up at important points.”
He said, “Traffic management has been strengthened so that there is no chaos or irregularity even if the pressure of vehicles increases. Efforts will be made to ensure separate lanes and serials especially for livestock trucks, passenger buses and private vehicles.”
Shibaloy Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Manisha Rani Karmakar said, “I have visited the Paturia Ghat area several times. The State Minister has given various instructions. The Paturia bus terminal will be moved temporarily to avoid traffic jams during Eid. The upazila administration team will monitor all the time.”
BIWTC Aricha Ghat manager Abu Abdullah said, “Due to natural reasons, the river crossing is taking a little longer. Five big ferries will ply on the Aricha-Kazirhat route. Even if the crossing takes a little longer, there are enough ferries, so there is no problem.”
BIWTC Aricha Office General Manager (Trade) Salam Hossain said, “17 ferries will ply on the Paturia-Daulatdia route. Nine large, five medium and three small ferries are ready to carry vehicles and passengers.”
Executive Engineer of BIWTA's Aricha office, Rabiul Alam, said, “Renovation of the ferry access road has been done. Due to coordinated management and advance preparation, there is less chance of major suffering this time. Coordination between every organization has been strengthened to keep the situation normal and quick action will be taken in any crisis.”
