S DILIP ROY

Ferry services on the Chilmari-Roumari route have been suspended since December 23 last year due to a navigability crisis on the Brahmaputra River.

Passengers now rely on boats, paying nearly three times the usual ferry fare.

Prafulla Chauhan, manager (commerce) of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) at Chilmari River Port, said ferry services were halted due to dredging and navigability issues in the river.

The suspension has disrupted travel and commerce for locals.

Amzad Hossain, a businessman who frequently uses the route, said, “Crossing the river by boat is risky and costs three times more. The ferry service should be restored quickly.”

Truck driver Delowar Hossain, who arrived at Chilmari port with a stone-laden truck, was unaware of the ferry service suspension. Now stuck, he said he was uncertain about when he can transport his cargo to Rajibpur.

This correspondent also noticed several boats near the port, used for transporting passengers. Boatman Saiful Islam said due to the ferry service closure, many people are using boats to cross the river. He also said high diesel costs have forced them to charge higher fares.

BIWTC manager Prafulla said services will resume once the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) grants clearance, although no timeline has been confirmed.

Contacted, BIWTA deputy assistant engineer Md Kamruzzaman said a survey is underway to address the navigability crisis.

A six-kilometre stretch from Baldamara to Roumari Ghat is affected, with a char forming in the channel near Saheber Alga. The survey is expected to conclude soon, and dredging will begin to reactivate the channel and restore ferry services, he added.