<i>Passengers suffer just for a pontoon</i>
The virtually inoperative pontoon at Galachipa launch terminal.Photo: STAR
Launch passengers are suffering a lot as the pontoon of Galachipa launch terminal set up over 10 years ago has become dysfunctional due to lack of renovation. Eighteen launches plying seven routes in Galachipa uapzila have to anchor in the middle of the river as the pontoon of Galachipa launch terminal does not float due to entrance of water through several holes on it. Passengers, especially women and children have to suffer much as they have to get on launches with the help of small boats or walking through mud. Most its doors and windows are broken. "Launches can anchor at the pontoon for 5/6 days in a month during only high tide when water level rises. During the remaining period, launches have to anchor in the middle of the river. We received lease of the launch terminal for Tk 14.60 lakh for running year from BIWTA but we are facing loss as the number of passenger is decreasing due to the useless pontoon," said Ibrahim Dafadar, lessee of the terminal. Abdur Razzak, joint director for BIWTA, visited the terminal three months ago and he assured to solve immediately the problem but in vain, he told. "We have to bear over cost to bring goods by launch as we have up load on the middle of the river by small boat. Now we are trying to bring goods from Dhaka and others places by truck to avoid sufferings," Kalu Mia, a businessman of Galachipa upazila town said. When contacted, BIWTA Assistant Director Md Mostafizur Rahman, also in charge of Patuakhali port office, said, "I sent several letters to higher authorities to solve the problem but to no effect."
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