Posted on June 13, 2022
The state minister for shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday said that the Shimulia river port would stay operational even after the inauguration of Padma Bridge.
Ferries will continue to run through this port as there is still demand for the ferry services, he said.
During a visit in the Shimulia ferry terminal area in the morning, he also said that especially the goods-laden vehicles would use this water route more comfortably.
Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury also said that by this year 12 more ferries would be added to the water route.
Replying to a question he said that no labourers at the Shimulia ferry terminal would remain unemployed.
The state minister maintained that river-based tourism would be created while eco zone would be built in the Shimulia area.
‘The river-based livelihood of none will be stopped while new scope for employment will be created,’ he added.
During the visit, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority chair Commodore Golam Sadeq and directors Kazi Wakil Newaz, Md Shahjahan and Rakibul Islam Talukder, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation assistant general manager Shafiqul Islam and BIWTC (Marine) assistant general manager Ahmed Ali were present.
Earlier, vehicles from Dhaka and adjacent areas went to these districts crossing the river Padma through Mawa-Charjanajat ferry route.
Between July and August in 2021 at least five ferries hit the bridge pillars and a span of the bridge on Shimulia-Banglabazar ferry route.
Following this incident, the authorities concerned relocated the Banglabazar ghat to Majhikandi ghat in December.
Only small ferries are running on the route while buses and goods-laden vehicles are currently using Paturia-Daulatdia route for going to south-western districts.
