The traffic at Paturia-Daulatdia river route is in crisis. Only 12, out of 16 ferries are in services. As a result, hundreds of vehicles are lying on both sides.
The crisis has geared up as most of the vehicles of Shimulia-Kanthalbari river route were using Paturia-Daulatdia route due to disruption in the ferry services there.
In addition, due to strong currents in the river, the ferries are not able to operate on the designated waterway. The number of trips has decreased a lot as the ferries take more time to travel against the current. As a result, hundreds of vehicles are stuck in both sides.
Regional Manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Zillur Rahman said the ferry was taking twice as long due to strong currents in the river. There is also a shortage of ferries in the fleet.
He added that only 12 out of 16 ferries are crossing the waterway. And if only two rows could be connected here, there would be no problem at the wharf.