Poor navigability hits south
Lack of timely river dredging blamed
A huge newly emerged landmass in River Lohalia at the entrance to Patuakhali river terminal hampers movement of vessels, inset, a boat stuck in a shoal in Ramnabad river in Galachipa upazila of the district.Photo: STAR
Movement of water vessels in the southern region is hampered as lack of dredging in the dry season has resulted in poor navigability on most river routes. More than 3,000 km waterways face navigability problem while 1,400 km already became unfit for movement of water transport, said Mostafizur Rahman, assistant director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA). Most vessels on these routes often have to stop for hours on the river before reaching their destination, he added. The rivers Lohalia, Kirtonkhola, Paira, Nishinda, Kalabadar, Elisha, Tetulia, Saheberhat, Bishkhali, Sandha, Arialkha, Buragourango, Kazal, Agunmukha now become risky for navigation, said BIWTA sources. The falling of the water level of these rivers started in November and it will continue throughout the dry season, especially during low tide, they said. Patuakhali port office sources said at least 14 to 16 feet deep water is needed for plying of a double-decker launch while a single-decker needs 8 to 10 feet depth. In last 10 years, plying of launches on at least 20 internal water routes in Patuakhali and Barguna districts have stopped due to poor navigability and many owners there sold their launches, said Md Shahjahan Khan, president of Patuakhali launch owners association. More than 50 launches plied the routes joining Patuakhali to Dasmina, Badnatoli, Pathorghata, Kakchira, Bhola, Mohipur, Ulania, Kalaiya, Taltali and Amtali just 10 years ago but only 10 launches use them now, sources said. BIWTA completed a dredging operation on April 13 in Patuakhali launch terminal area for smooth movement of the launches there. However, there was not sufficient dredging of the alluvial layer on the adjoining routes, sources said. On Patuakhali-Dhaka route, water vessels including passenger launches face navigability problem at different points due to the dry season. “The alluvial land at different points on the route often creates obstacles to running our vessels smoothly, especially during the low tide,” said Abul Kalam who runs a double-decker launch on Patuakhali-Dhaka route. Many times we have to keep our vessel anchored in the river for hours due to navigability problem at different points on the route such as Lohalia, Boga, Baherchar and Jhilna, he said. Launches on Bhola-Barisal route ply slowly, often using bamboo sticks to measure the water level. During low tide most of the launches on the route get stopped at different points including Saheberhat, Tungibaria and Laharhat, said vessels owners. Launches cross the Charmoni River only during the high tide as the water level falls sharply during low tide, making the river unfit for plying of vessels, they added.
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