Ferry introduced to save Meghna bridge
After over 20 years the government reintroduced ferry service on the Meghna River yesterday to carry overloaded vehicles and stop those from using the Meghna Bridge, the condition of which was termed risky.
A weighbridge (machine to weigh vehicles) before the bridge will detect overloaded vehicles plying the Dhaka-Chittagong route and direct them towards the ferry ghats while the others would be directed towards the bridge, said communications ministry officials.
Communications Minister Obaidul Quader, who earlier termed the bridge very risky, inaugurated the service, stopped in 1991 after the bridge opened to public, by crossing the river in a ferry around 12:30pm.
Six ferries, four of Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and two of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), will operate using six ghats. Two more will be introduced soon, said the officials.
However, RHD fixed a fare of Tk 400 for each vehicle while the rate is Tk 1,400 for BIWTA ferries. A goods-laden vehicle using the bridge now pays Tk 400.
RHD officials expressed concern as BIWTA's higher rate may create disorder. They said the government must increase ferry services to cope with the influx of vehicles while the bridge is being repaired.
Another weighbridge is present before Daudkandi Bridge. RHD sources said the weighbridges can help protect the bridge, but overloaded vehicles are hardly fined or unloaded.
The government reintroduced the ferry service on an urgent basis as overloaded vehicles pay bribes to cross the risky bridges, they said.
Yesterday, Obaidul Quader also inaugurated a weighbridge at Padua bazar, Comilla. “A tender was floated to select a firm to immediately start repairs on Meghna Bridge,” he said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments