Extreme irregularities at Harina ferry terminal

The Chandpur-Shariatpur ferry route is one of the means of road communication with the western districts of the country. The Chandpur part of this ferry, Harina Ferry Ghat, has now turned into a misery due to various irregularities. Although 7 ferries operate, 300 to 400 vehicles ply on both sides of the ferry every day. More than 800 vehicles are crossing. In the name of special, some cars pass without serial with extra money, but the regular vehicles waiting in serial have to stay. Hundreds of miles of vehicles including the driver came to the deer parking yard in panic. Because the whole parking yard is unprotected. These matters are not supervised by the lessee. BIWTA officials say they will take immediate action.

The Chandpur-Shariatpur ferry route is one of the major freight and public transport routes in the surrounding districts including Chittagong, Comilla, Feni, Noakhali and Laxmipur. The ferry operates 24 hours a day on the fast flowing Padma-Meghna river and without any natural calamity. Due to the safe road system from Chittagong to Chandpur, the traffic is increasing day by day. But in the deer part of the ferry, the parking yard has not been maintained for the last few years and the management has broken down. Businesses have been set up illegally. There are no guards at night. There is not enough lighting. A water pressure faucet and a toilet for 400 to 500 drivers and helpers. As the border wall was open, looting took place day and night. Drivers do not have the opportunity to rest. Restrooms have become havens for drug addicts.

Although there are 7 ferries for crossing vehicles, these ferries are very old. With a lot of inaccessible ferries, Parper is running with less vehicles than required. Mechanically weak ferries are shut down when waves or currents rise in the river. Due to which there is a long line of 600 to 800 vehicles at Alubazar and Harina Ghat every day.

Arif, a driver from Chittagong, said the deer parking yard was completely unprotected. The lights are not on at night. Water and toilet facilities are very poor. Almost all the time is snatched. The car is crossed without the serial. It is important to ensure that drivers and helpers are safe. Another driver from Khulna, Ruhul Amin, said there was a lot of traffic jam due to lack of ferries. There are long lines on both sides. The ferries are very old. These ferries need to be changed.

Saiful Islam, a driver from Noakhali, said, `The tenants here treat us very badly. Even if a car crosses during the day, it does not allow a truck to cross at night. They take money as they wish. Out of the rules, they cross the car with more than 2 thousand to 4 thousand rupees. Anarchy prevails in this ghat at night. Looks like no one is watching this leaseholder. We demand the government to restore order in this ghat’.

Driver Jamal Hossain has come from Chittagong to go to Bhandaria. `I have to stay in Harinaghat for at least three days," he said. But there is no such thing as staying here. We have to live in fear as there is no security system. No toilets and adequate lighting. These need to be addressed by the authorities. Because the income is not less with this ghat’.

Chandpur Harina Ferry Wharf BIDBUTC Manager (Commerce) Abdun Noor said, “We run 6 ferries regularly. However, not all ferries are the same size. Due to which more or less vehicles have to be crossed. If there is current, it is stopped. But if more ferries are provided then this problem will not exist.

BIWTA Chandpur Port and Transport Officer AKM Kaysarul Islam said, `We are taking steps to solve the problems of vehicles in Harinaghat." Worked for the night light. Steps have been taken to keep the water and toilet system clean. Many people use the toilet every day, for which it is very expensive to keep clean. The lessee will be sued for the safety of the driver and the vehicle’.