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People suffer for months for want of ferry

Parts of the lone inoperative vessel being stolen

SOHRAB HOSSAIN, Patuakhali
Ferry service on Andharmanik River at Baliatali point of Kalapara-Kuakata alternative road has remained suspended since the lone ferry on the route went out of order 22 months ago.
In 2008, Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) set up the ferry terminal at Baliatali near Kalapara town on Andharmanik River and arranged a ferry service on the alternative road to Kuakata tourist spot.
The alternative road link offers easier journey as it requires only one ferry crossing instead of three on the 22-km-long main road and so, it became popular to tourists as well as d local commuters.
LGED handed over the ferry to Kalapara upazila parishad for management and maintenance, upazila parishad sources said, adding that about 60,000 people ofLalua, Mithaganj, Baliatali and Dhulashar unions under the upazila got facility to communicate with the upazila headquarters and Kuakata tourist spot.
But shortly afterwards, the ferry faced troubles and Kalapara upazila parishad repaired it three times.
Lastly in June 2010, the
ferry went out of order, causing indefinite stoppage of the service.
Unscrupulous people are stealing different parts of the ferry that is lying idle on a char (landmass emerged from riverbed).
The lessee now uses country boats to carry passengers across the river for extra fares.
"I started for Kaukata on the alternative road, thinking it more convenient. But I
have to suffer due to lack of ferry. I had to pay Tk 20 as boat fare instead ofTk only 5 in the ferry," said Abu Raihan, a tourist from Barisal, who was crossing the river with his motorcycle on a country boat.
Masum Billah, driver of the ferry, said, "Hundreds of passengers and vehicles used to cross the river by the ferry. But an important pipe of it broke 22 months ago, making the machine dys-
functional. The upazila administration did not take any step to repair it by this time.”
When contacted, Prof Mostafizur Rahman, chairman for Kalapara upazila parishad, said, "We spent Tk over 2 lakh to repair the ferry three times. Now we are planning to run the service on lease basis after repairing the ferry. We have already asked the upazila engineer to take step in this regard."