Navigability crisis leads to suspension of Aricha-Kazirhat ferry service

Ferries along the route have regularly been stranded on sandbars over the past few days

Ferry service between Manikganj’s Aricha Port and Pabna’s Kazirhat Port has been suspended due to a navigability crisis on the Jamuna River.

Nasir Mohammad Chowdhury, DMG of the BIWTC Aricha Regional Office, said service was brought to a halt at 10pm on Friday.

Five ferries ply the route between Shibaloy Upazila’s Aricha and Bera Upazila’s Kazirhat, according to information from the BIWTC.

But, due to the navigability crisis, ferries have gotten stuck on sandbars a short distance away from the Aricha Port over the past few days. Even after that, ferry authorities shifted to taking half-laden ferries and making the trips in risky conditions.

However, the channel has become even narrower now as the river water continues to recede.

DGM Nasir said that ferry service has been suspended from time to time due to the navigability crisis. Now the route will be closed until the crisis eases.

Passengers using the route and the drivers of freight vehicles will have to suffer as the disruption of the ferry service forces them to make alternate travel plans.