A prolonged navigability crisis in the Meghna River continues to cause severe disruption on the Bhola-Lakshmipur water route with the emergence of numerous underwater sandbars. The sandbars are forcing ferries and passenger launches to endure lengthy delays while travelling the approximately 45-kilometre route, causing elongated travel time and burning more fuel. The deterioration of navigability in the Meghna river has further endangered operations on the Bhola-Lakshmipur route and water transport is now largely dependent on tidal conditions.
Impact on Operations
Vessels departing from Bhola are being forced to take a 12-kilometre diversion to avoid submerged shoals before reaching the Lakshmipur terminal, resulting in vehicles remaining stuck for extended periods. Ferries and launches on the Bhola-Lakshmipur route are travelling several kilometers remoter because of submerged sandbars that have emerged near Ilisha Ghat in Bhola. Similar underwater bars have appeared at several points along the Meghna River.
Passenger Concerns and Demands
Passengers of the route have demanded immediate and continuous dredging of the river as well as relocation of the Lakshmipur ferry terminal to the Motirhat area to reduce public suffering. The extended travel time is also causing losses as perishable agricultural produce and other goods carried by long-distance vehicles are being damaged, affecting both the regional and national economy.
Official Responses
Officials of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) said the navigability crisis has reduced the number of ferry trips, resulting in lower government revenue. BIWTC Bhola Regional Manager (Ferry Service) Md. Kawsar Ahammed told that the issue had been brought to the attention of the respective authorities several times and that they had assured steps would be taken to resolve the problem. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has assured that necessary measures, including accelerated dredging, are being taken to ease public suffering.
Current Measures and Hopes
BIWTA Assistant Director of the Bhola River Port Division Nirmal Kumar Roy told that dredging activities are currently underway to address the navigability crisis. Bhola Deputy Commissioner Dr. Shamim Rahman told the media that he is maintaining communication with the relevant authorities to restore navigability in the district's rivers and expressed hope that the problem would be resolved soon.
