Dense fog halts Paturia-Daulatdia, Shumilia-Banglabazar ferry services

Ferry services on the key Paturia-Daulatdia and Shimulia-Banglabazar routes remain suspended since this morning due to dense fog.

In Munshiganj, ferry services on Shimulia-Banglabazar route was halted at 4:00am due to poor visibility caused by dense fog.

The authorities of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) suspended ferry services to avoid accidents, said Prafulla Chouhan, manager of BIWTC.

Two ferries that left for Shimulia from Banglabazar point in the morning anchored in the middle of the river due to poor visibility, said Prafulla.

Besides, 12 ferries were stuck at the ghat point.

Some 200 vehicles were waiting to cross the river, he said.

In Manikganj, more than 400 vehicles are stuck on the both ends of Paturia -Daulatdia routes and waiting to cross the river.

BIWTC Aricha Sector Manager Mohiuddin Rasel said the fog intensified after midnight.

"Visibility fell drastically around 7:30am. So, we decided to keep ferry services off to avoid accidents," he said.

Rasel said they would resume ferry operations once visibility improves.