GOALANDA, RAJBARI: Some 10 ferries out of 12 of Daulatdia-Paturia waterway could not be operated from Friday morning due to navigability crisis in the river Padma and Jamuna.

A long tailback was seen on both the banks as only two K-type ferries were giving services currently.

Passengers especially women and children, and the transport workers had been facing acute problems due to the gridlock.

Sources from Aricha office of BIWTC said that due to the navigability crisis in this waterway, authorities stopped the service of 10 ferries.

BIWTC officials said that a fully-loaded Ro-Ro ferry needs at least 10-12 feet depth and partially loaded ferry service needs 7-8 feet depth of water but now at some places are only 6-7 feet deep for which ferries were getting stuck.

Passengers and transport workers alleged that they have been suffering due to lacking of dredging, but the authority did not pay any attention.

Manager (Finance) of BIWTC Aricha Office Shafiqul Islam said that the dredging is underway and soon they will get over the crisis.

High officials of BIWTC and BIWTA visited the place to take immediate actions.

BDST: 2053 HRS, AUG 30, 2013
PC/AIA/SR/AKA/RIS