Daulatdia Ghat may get swept away anytime

The Daulatdia berthing point in Rajbari may get swept away anytime due to erosion by the Padma, which is going to eventually cause a disruption of Paturia-Daulatdia ferry service.

Necessary steps are needed immediately, said officials of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC).

During a visit yesterday, this correspondent found Pontoon No-3 at Daulatdia under water.

Due to the rise in water level, erosion, and a lack of maintenance of an approach road connecting the ferry-berthing point at Daulatdia, it becomes a tough job to keep the ferry service normal, said Abdus Sattar, a manager (marine), BIWTC.

Shafiqul Islam, a manager (commerce) of BIWTC, said the water has increased by four feet in the river in the last three days.

Pontoon No-4 at Daulatdia remained dysfunctional for 16 hours on Friday as it went under water, he said, adding, Pontoon No-3 and 4 are under serious threat of erosion.

Portions of land between Pontoon No-2 and 3 and on the eastern side of the Pontoon No-4 already went into the river, he said.

Pontoon No-5 at Paturia berthing point is also under the threat, he added. Bangladesh Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and Roads and Highways Department (RHD) should take necessary steps, he said.

BIWTA Executive Engineer Nijam Uddin Pathan said a decision to shift Pontoon No-3 and 4 to the area of launch berthing point was taken last year, but to no avail due to failure of RHD in starting the construction of a new approach road there.

“We started erosion protection work in the launch ghat area,” he said.

Water Development Board had dumped a large number of sand bags in the river to protect the approach road from erosion, he said. “But now, the sand bags started eroding.”

Rajbari RHD Executive Engineer Johirul Islam said they could not construct the approach road yet due to delay in official procedure.

“We gave work order on April 24. The work will begin within a few days,” he said.

The communication between Dhaka and 16 south and south-western districts is maintained through the Paturia-Daulatdia ferry route.

On the other hand, many establishments including mosques, houses and shops are also under the threat of erosion. Locals are passing their days in utter uncertainty.