Silted rivers keep fertiliser away from farmers

As big cargo vessels cannot approach Baghabari Ghat, fertiliser bags unloaded from those by small boats being carried by labourers (left) and piled up on the bank of Jamuna. Photo: Golam Mostafa Jibon

Water levels of Jamuna and its tributaries have fallen drastically.

Baghabari port sources said cargo vessels and barges with fertiliser and fuel can not reach Baghabari ghat as numerous underwater shoals have appeared in the waterways. At least 35 vessels and barges were stuck up between Nagorbari and Nakalia in last one week, they said.

Small boats are being used to unload fertilisers from stranded vessels and take those to riverbanks. Those are then transported to different destinations through trucks and other transports, which substantially increases the transportation costs, they said.

This correspondent during a visit saw fertilisers being unloaded from big vessels at Natuarpara with the help of small boats and stacked on the riverbank. About 20,000 tonnes of fertiliser were piled up there, awaiting dispatch to different destinations.

Taking the advantage, truckers have almost doubled fares, for which farmers will ultimately bear the brunt, they said.

Sources at Baghabari fuel depot said diesel and kerosene are being unloaded from their oil tankers at Kazirhat point through drums and then supplied to dealers. Even small tankers can not move as underwater shoals have appeared at least 100 points including Nakalia, Latifpur, Verakhola and Mohonganj on Jamuna river.

This has increased costs while supply of diesel, kerosene, petrol, octane and different kinds of fertiliser to 16 northern districts may be stopped any time, they said.

Authorities at Baghabari port and depots urged the BIWTA several times for dredging of the river channel during autumn, but nothing was done, they said.

Oil company officials at Baghabari said fuel crisis in northern districts is created only due to navigation problem. If this can be resolved, smooth supplies can be maintained throughout the year, they observed.

Baghabari port was set up in 1982 at the confluence of Jamuna and Boral rivers, followed by installation of depots of Padma, Meghna and Jamuna oil companies mainly to ensure smooth supply of fuel to northern districts. But the purpose is being denied only due to lack of effective dredging of river channels in the region, they said.