Traffic cripples Mawa, Paturia

A blocked river channel at Daulatdia and a huge rush of home-bound passengers have caused massive traffic snarls at the vital river transport terminals of Paturia-Daulatdia and Mawa-Kewrakandi.

People departing Dhaka on Monday, first day of the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, are caught up in the congestion since morning.

No vessel have been crossing the channels at Rajbari’s Daulatdia on the Paturia-Daulatdia route since 1am on Monday as it has been blocked by alluvium, said Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Assistant Manager (Trade) Mohiuddin Rasel.

Ferries have been taking the other channel but the journey takes longer than usual due to strong currents.

But transports began to crowd Paturia from early Monday. A 3-km queue was visible on the Dhaka-Paturia road at midday.

A total 17 ferries are carrying passengers across the river, said Mohiuddin Rasel.

He hoped the situation would improve in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Mawa terminal, the gateway to 21 southern districts, was reeling under the pressure.

The 18 ferries operating from there proved insufficient in face of the surging crowds, BIWTC Assistant General Manager Ashikuzzaman told bdnews24.com.

A two kilometre-long queue of vehicles was seen between Mawa and Sreenagar at noon.

Some have chosen to ride launch or speed boats at Mawa and then catch buses from Kewrakandi.

More than 250 police and para-military personnel are deployed at Mawa to ensure security for people going home for Eid.

More than 50 Rover Scouts and BNCC Scouts were also at work.

Medical teams were also available to provide emergency aid.

Mawa Police outpost SI Khandker Khaled Hossain said police are patrolling on trawlers and sea boats to ensure safe passage.