In view of the highly congestive cross-river contingency arising out of rapid shoaling In the Padma- Jamuna channels two competing agenda apparently stare the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (B1WTA) in the face. This is the Impression one gathers from what the BIWTA chairman had to say to our reporter's recital of complaints made by ferry users about the inconveniencing factors tn the Aricha ghat area. He said and we quote: "improving the existing facilities at the ghat comes second on our agenda. First, we must keep the ferry channels operational ..." Money being the key consideration it has to be prudently used.

Well, we don't think that the two agenda militate against one another; actually they should be mutually inclusive in BIWTA's perception of things or prescription for tiding over the interlocking difficulties. When the extremely poor navigability of the channels has caused the congestion In the ghat areas to grow into insufferable proportions, the bull obviously has to be taken by its two horns, not one. And. there is a sinning element to the shape of things prevailing if one were to take Into account the abysmal river-dredging failure or inadequacy whichever expression you choose to use depending upon the Intensity of your annoyance.

River-training is a matter that had better not been left to adhocism of the crisis management type, it ought to have been a planned affair undertaken earlier in the season with an unruffled mind. Of course, the entire navigability question Is linked to augmentation of the river flows but look at the way the large JMB project dredger of the latest vintage that was commandeered to excavate the river-beds in the Aricha-Natakhola channel could not simply make It to the spots because of shallow waters en route. If the whole operation was planned earlier, the chances of success would have been that much better. Then consider the fact that the small fleet of dredgers hardly ever work full capacity as one or the other has gone out of water.

There may be big money Involved In digging up the shoals now. But Is there any serious physical or monetary obstacle to improving the basic amenities at the ghats and broadening the approach road to the pontoons by removing the unauthorised rows of shops. Surely not. So, let's see some action there, here and now.