Poor navigability on Route to Baghabari Port
22 fertiliser-laden vessels stuck in Jamuna River
Fertiliser-laden cargo vessels get anchored on the Jamuna River only a few kilometres from Baghabari as they cannot reach the river port due to lack of adequate navigability during the ongoing dry season. Photo: STAR
At least 22 cargo vessels loaded with chemical fertilisers are now stranded at different points of Jamuna River due to poor navigability on the route leading to Baghabari port under Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), port sources said. The navigability problem hampers movement of vessels at Char Shibaloy, Char Safuria, Char Rafsha, New-Bhatiapara, Koitola, Awalbandh, Nakalia, Panchakola, Char Panchakola, Maladapara, Mohonganj, Andharmanik, Dhulchar, Mollar Char and Ramkrishnapur points of the river for over a week. “Twenty-two fertiliser laden vessels, each carrying more than 10 feet draft load, have remained stranded at Andharmanik and Dhulchari points for the last three days. The fertilisers are being taken to Baghabari port with the help of lighters,†Md Abdur Razzak, in-charge of Baghabari port. Md Abdus Salam, lease-holder of Baghabari port, said failure to conduct timely dredging by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has led to the situation. Asked about the matter, BIWTA deputy director (Dredging) Md Shahjal Haque said, "We started dredging at Mollar Char and Ramkrishnapur on Saturday as the two points are vulnerable for movement of vessels due to poor navigability. The problem will be gone within one or two days." “We asked the vessel operators to carry 6.5 to 7 feet draft load during this time of poor navigability. But most of the vessels carried 10 to 11 feet draft load and so, they could not reach Baghabari port,†he said. Meanwhile, a BIWTC official seeking anonymity said, “BIWTC sent a letter to BIWTA in June last year, urging steps to conduct dredging in the most vulnerable areas before the crisis period begins. But the BIWTA has taken step only after several vessels stuck on the riverbed due to the navigability problem during the last one week.†Port lease-holder Abdus Salam said, "Each stranded cargo vessel has to count additional Tk 30 to 40 thousand to carry fertiliser to Baghabari port with the help of lighters. There is no alternative to ensure navigability through proper dredging for solving the problem." If continues for long, the navigability problem will eventually affect supply of fertilisers during the Irri-boro season, adding to the production cost of the crops, said stakeholders.
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