Over 500 vehicles stranded on both sides of Kazirhat-Aricha ghat due to ferry shortage

Over 500 vehicles, mostly loaded trucks, are stranded at Kazirhat ferry ghat in Pabna, and Aricha ferry ghat in Manikganj due to shortage of ferries.

Only one ferry, out of four, is running on Kazirhat-Aricha route since yesterday. According to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), another ferry from Paturia ghat will be managed soon, reports our Pabna correspondent.

Md Mahabubur Rahman, manager of Kazirhat ferry ghat, told The Daily Star that only one ferry is running on this busy route as three others are out of order. One ferry is taking the load of four ferries which has led to this traffic situation.

Due to the huge pressure of vehicles, BIWTC has planned to add another ferry (Khan Jahan Ali) from Paturia ghat for operating on this route, but this traffic pressure might stay for a few more days, Mahabub added.

"I have come to Kazirhat ferry ghat from Jashore on the night of June 10. I was finally able to cross the river today," Md Asif Hossain, a truck driver told The Daily Star.

"The road to Kazirhat ferry ghat went underwater a week ago so the ghat was shifted 200 meter away from its previous location. Yesterday, the ferry ghat road in Aricha also got submerged so the vehicle movement is slower than usual." A BIWTC official said.