SAFETY VS SPEED ... for a faster crossing many prefer the speed boats on the Shimulia-Kawrakandi route of the Padma. It is only a 15 to 20 minute ride on the boat while it takes two and a half hours by ferry and one and a half hours by launch to cross the distance. However the convenience of speed comes with the considerable risk of the mighty river especially when the current is strong. Not all boat operators have life jackets for passengers and some boats are piled with more passengers then they are designed for. Around 200 such boats ply the route. Photo: STAR