Hundreds of vehicles queue up at Paturia Ghat ahead of ‘strict lockdown’

Around seven hundred vehicles -- 500 light and 200 goods-carrying -- are waiting at Paturia Ghat (ferry terminal) to cross the river as thousands of people are leaving Dhaka for their village homes ahead of the weeklong strict restrictions imposed by the government to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Passengers travelling with private cars, microbuses and CNG-run auto-rickshaws are seen rushing to the terminal from Dhaka and adjacent areas through Dhaka-Patuaria highway, reports our Manikganj correspondent.

Drivers and passengers of the light vehicles said they have to wait four to five hours at Paturia terminal to board a ferry.

Traffic Sergeant Golzar Hossain of Paturia terminal's police control room said the terminal has been experiencing heavy rush since the government announced the strict restrictions from April 14.

But the vehicles are moving without any hassle, he said. 

Deputy Director General of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation's Aricha office said they are operating 14 ferries at present and facing no problems in transporting the vehicles.