BNP’s motorcade to Barishal: Ferry services on Shimulia-Kathalbari route halted for 2 hours

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) suspended ferry services on Shimulia-Kathalbari route for two hours this morning. At that time, BNP leaders were scheduled to cross the river to attend a rally in Barishal city, they alleged.

Terminal authorities, however, said the ferry services from Shimulia Ghat were suspended since 8:00 am today due to "technical problem".

The sudden halt of ferry services caused immense sufferings to the passengers, reports our Munshiganj correspondent.

Talking to media, Ishraque Hossain, member of the BNP committee on international affairs, said there were no ferries at the Shimulia terminal in the morning. All the ferries were anchored at Bangla Bazar of Madaripur, he said.

"Even all the offices at Shimulia terminal remained closed so that the authorities do not have to answer us," Ishraque alleged.

Following the suspension of ferry services, 25 vehicles of BNP leaders got stuck at Shimulia terminal. Later, the vehicles were parked at different places near the terminal.

"We were forced to cross Padma River through trawlers and launches," he said.

Ishraque hoped that their programme will be held successfully despite the "authorities' restriction".

Riyadh Mollah, BNP's senior joint convener of Sirajdikhan upazila unit, said they were even barred to cross the river by launch and trawlers for an hour in the morning.

An official of BIWTC, seeking anonymity, said they got an SMS last night with an instruction to remove all the ferries to Bangla Bazar from Shimulia. He, however, did not provide any details.