Despite double pressure, passengers suffer less on Paturia-Daulatdia route

Despite the number of home-goers and transports being nearly double than the previous years, passengers are suffering less on Paturia-Daulatdia river route ahead of this Eid-ul-Fitr.

Due to the designation of separate lanes for small and big vessels and launches to cross the river, people from 21 districts of the country are being able to travel to their destinations from Paturia and Daulatdia without hassle, reports our Manikganj correspondent.

There was no pressure of passengers and vehicles at Paturia ferry terminal in Manikganj this morning, our correspondent reports from the spot. There was also no additional vehicular pressure on any of the lanes of the highways or terminals.

"I always travel on this route from Dhaka. In the past, there used to be traffic congestion and long lines of cars on the highway before Eid. This time there is no such trouble on the Dhaka-Aricha and Dhaka-Paturia highways," said one of the commuters, Ishrat Jahan of Chuadanga.

"In a very short time, I was able to come to Paturia Ghat through the highway. It feels good," she added.

Photo: Collected

Another holidaymaker, Abul Hasan of Magura said, "Even two days ago, there was a two to three kilometres long line of light vehicles on way to Paturia Ghat. But today, I left Dhaka around 6 am and reached Paturia ferry ghat in two hours only. There was no traffic jam on the highway.The cars are moving in an orderly manner."

Sohrab Hossain, a passenger of a long-route bus, said, "In the past before Eid, I had to come to Paturia ghat and be stuck for three to four hours before being able to board the ferry. This time I was able to get on the ferry as soon as I got to the ghat. Management this year is much better than before. The suffering on the roads and highways has been reduced."

Kamal Hossain of Rajbari said, "There is no traffic congestion on the highway. I came to Paturia Ghat and could get on the launch quickly. Going home was made easy this year."

Photo: Collected

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Deputy General Manager (Commerce) of Aricha Regional Office Shah Md Khaled Nawaz said, "In the last two years, due to Covid pandemic, people did not come out of their houses often. This time, actions were taken in advance as the pressure of passengers and vehicles on highways and waterways was expected to increase."

"During the four days from April 28 to May 1, a total of 46,100 cars, 11,525 per day on an average,crossed the river. Even today, there is pressure of passengers and vehicles. However, with 21 ferries in operation, it has become easier forpassengers and vehicles to cross."

Manikganj Superintendent of Police Golam Azad Khan said, "Expecting increase in number of vehicles and transports, we closed plying of goods-laden vehicles for 10 days before and after Eid. Besides, due to installation of road dividers on the highway and making separate lines to enter the ferry ghat,vehicles have been able to move in an orderly manner."

Manikganj Deputy Commissioner Abdul Latif said, "The concerned departments worked the ways we planned to ease passengers' sufferings."