MANIKGANJ. Feb I: About 1,700 trucks remained stranded at Aricha, Daulatdla and Nagarbari ghats after 1.300 vehicles were ferried In 12 hours till Thursday morning, reports UNB.

BIWTC sources said the traffic congestion was created as a large number of vehicles reached the three ghats ahead of the hartal in the capital called for Saturday.

They said the BIWTC ferries plying between Aricha anil the Iwo other ghats at Daulatdla and Nagarbari. could not carry more than 2.600 vehicles in 24 hours.

Drivers said perishable commodities were rotting in hundreds of stranded truck*.

BSS adds: State Minister for Shipping Shajahan SiraJ today asked the authorities concerned to put allout and united efforts for ensuring smooth ferry services in Aricha Nagarbari-Daulatdla routes during the coming Eid holidays.

All possible measures must be taken so that people do not stiffer in ferry ghats. he said

The state minister was

presiding over a meeting if the officials of BIWTA, BIWTC. ManikganJ district and police administration and Bangladesh Rifles here.

The meeting was Informed that one dumb ferry, rehabilitated at NarayanganJ dockyard of BIWTC. would ply on the routes by next two days. The ferry will have the capacity to carry about 150 vehicles daily.

The meeting was further informed that three platoon* of BDR had been deployed at Aricha for proper management of traffic

The state minister directed the BIWTC officials to increase the trips of the ferry so that maximum number of vehicles are ferried on the routes.

Later, the state minister visited construction work of an alternative exit route of vehicle* at Aricha.

He also formally opened a vehicle terminal to be used by BIWTC at Uthaly. five kilometres from Aricha towards Dhaka. The terminal will accommodate about 200 vehicles and help reduce traffic jam of Aricha terminal area.