Ferry and launch services on the Daulatdia-Paturia route have remained suspended for two weeks due to rising water levels and strong river currents, causing severe disruption and hardship for daily commuters and transport operators.
Locals said launches and ferries are now taking almost twice as long to cross the river.
Smaller vessels have been temporarily withdrawn from service, and launches are being moored away from the main pontoons near residential areas, as they are unable to withstand the force of the current.
A visit to Daulatdia revealed that no launches were docked at the usually bustling pontoons. Passengers, ticket checkers and hawkers were seen waiting, while the pontoons occasionally shook under the pressure of the river flow.
Red flags were placed on poles to alert operators. Two launches were found anchored near homesteads east of the pontoon.
Kazi Shafik, in charge of MV Nipu-1, said, "The current is so strong that we can neither dock nor anchor the launch at the pontoon. What used to take 20–22 minutes now takes up to 50 minutes. Only one launch is being operated at a time to maintain service."
Shah Alam Bepari, a private university student travelling on MV Nazir Express, said, "It took us 47 minutes to cross the river today. Earlier, the same journey took just 20 minutes."
Murad Mia, master of MV Nazir Express, said that the water level has been rising over the past two weeks along with the strong currents, nearly doubling the time needed to dock and travel.
Operators said ferries are also struggling as their engines are running at higher power to counter the current.
They said journeys that usually took 30–35 minutes are now taking up to an hour. Smaller and less powerful ferries have been pulled from service.
Mohammad Salah Uddin, AGM of BIWTC's Daulatdia office, said only 12 out of 16 ferries are currently operating on the route due to strong currents and reduced traffic pressure.
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