SHARIATPUR. Dec 11: Navigation to and from Shariatpur has been affected seriously due to rapid fall in water level of all rivers and emergence of shoals tn river beds, reports BSS. *

Many shoals have appeared in many places in the rivers of Padma and Meghna due to heavy siltatlon during the last flood.

Plying of riverine transports along different river routes has become very risky as well as time consuming.

According to Shariatpur Water Development Board Office sources, water level recorded in the Padma and Meghna are lower then normal requirement during the dry season. Water level now went to 90 feet from 190 of the rainy season.

About 10 to 15 feet layer of siltatlon have appeared in the riverbeds of the Padma and the Meghna.

The ground and surface water may go down further affecting seriously the ecological balance and causing acute crisis of water.

Now water transports Includ-

Rapid fall in water level of two major rivers in Shariatpur

ing steamers, launches and co untry boats plying between Shariatpur-Dhaka. Shariatpur-Bari sal. Shariatpur-Narayanganj have to cover an additional distance of four to five kilometres to reach destination by diverting the original routes. Passengers of steamers and launches, plying on these routes, have to suffer due to hidden shoals in different areas. Sometimes passengers on board are stranded for hours together in the middle of the river as vessels some times hit hidden shoals.

About 150 launches and Other vessels are plying In these routes everyday. BIWTA is responsible to locate the sunken shoals in these river-beds. Sometime. BIWTA falls to locate the exact number of shoals in the rivers.

The rivers are flowing for years together without dredging. Early dredging of these rivers is very essential. Dredging of rivers is convenient during the dry season. River transport system along Shariatpur route will improve considerably following dredging. Communication, trade and bust-

ness of the area will be improved if dredging of the rivers is done In due tome.