People suffer as launch ghat without gangway

Thousands of people are suffering due to lack of a gangway to connect with the pontoon at Habibpur launch terminal in Ujirpur upazila of the district.

People use the terminal to go to different destinations like the upazila and district headquarters and other areas including capital Dhaka but they have to use a bamboo bridge connecting the pontoon to get on or down from launches.

"Especially elderly people, women and children have to suffer much due to the situation," said Noto Dasgupta, a passenger of Ujirpur area.

Newcomers to the area often get scared to get down from launches, said Mokhles, a tea seller near the launch terminal.

A new pontoon was set at the terminal about three years ago but passengers cannot use it smoothly due to lack of gangway and approach road, said Hafizur Rahman, chairman of Uirpur Upazila Parishad.

Tk 5 as toll is taken from each passenger entering the pontoon but there is not adequate service for a large number of people using the terminal, he said, adding, "We requested officials of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) to set up a gangway here, but to no effect yet."

Azmol Huda, deputy director (River Safety and Traffic) of BIWTA, said he will inform the higher authorities to solve the problem.