Homebound people in ferry ghats continue

The homebound people were seen flocking at the ferries which are only allowed to carry ambulances and vehicles with bodies at Paturia-Daulatdia terminal on Monday despite the suspension on the ferry operation amid lockdown.

Holidaymakers thronged at the terminal in the morning where only a few ferries were allowed to cross the Padma River to carry the ambulances on a limited scale.

However, no ferry left Paturia for Daulatdia terminal with only passengers since the morning while the homebound passengers were seen waiting for the ambulances.

On Monday morning, seven small and big ferries with ambulances and passengers left Paturia Ferry Ghat area for Daulatdia until 10:15 am.

Besides, in order to stop the deadly second wave of coronavirus and its new variant from spreading, police and BGB check-posts were installed on the Dhaka-Aricha highway in Barbalia and Dhalla areas of Singair upazila. Another check-post was installed in Tepra area of the highway about 8 km near the terminal.

Homebound passengers have to reach the terminal area facing rigorous interrogation.

Shirin Sultana, a passenger said she failed to return to her village all through this year due to her busy schedule at work.  Every year, she has to go home through various adversities during Eid holidays and this year, there is also no difference, she said.

“But I’m maintaining hygiene rules to avoid Coronavirus risks,” she added.

Md Firoj Kabir, Officer-in-Charge of Shibalay Police Station, said that several teams of police are working to control the overall situation in the terminal area and the situation is under control.

Zillur Rahman, Deputy General Manager of Aricha office of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), said there are 15 ferries on the Paturia-Daulatdia route. 

However, as per the government decision, two or three ferries are operating for emergency services as the ferry service is closed. He said some homebound passengers were crossing the route on ferries carrying bodies.

Meanwhile, the alarming Coronavirus transmission surge in the country may get worse after Eid-ul-Fitr, warned Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) spokesman Nazmul Islam on Sunday.

Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival in the country is likely to be celebrated after four days.

However, the situation is different since last year as the global coronavirus pandemic continues to rattle the world, specially countries in South Asia of late.

Earlier, the government enforced the lockdown from April 6, which was later extended in several phases in the face of a surge in Covid-19 infections in the country.

Lastly, the lockdown was extended until 16 May as the second of the pandemic wave hit the country.