Padma River erosion cripples Paturia launch terminal operations

A jetty at the Paturia launch terminal in Manikganj's Shibaloy Upazila collapsed on Tuesday amid a week-long erosion in the turbulent Padma, leaving lunch crews and passengers in hardship and trade revolving the infrastructure in a crisis.

The authorities temporarily relocated the operations of the launch terminal to the adjacent No. 2 ferry terminal, where services are being continued on an emergency basis with the launches moved to its pontoon.

However, the shifting of operations has not only disrupted passenger movement but also severely affected local businesses that are dependent on the terminal.

Paturia launch terminal Manager Panna Lal Nandi said, "Passenger operations are continuing from there (No. 2 ferry ghat) for now, but it is not a safe solution. We had warned BIWTA (Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority), but our concerns were not taken seriously. If immediate action is not taken, the passenger waiting shed may also be lost to the river."

Sharing a similar frustration of launch masters and crew members, one crew member said, "This happens every monsoon, but no steps are taken in advance." He believes adequate preventive measures could have saved the jetty from erosion. "Now our work and income have declined drastically," he added. Launch operator Kazi Shafik said passengers are facing a lot of trouble as the new location lacks basic facilities like a waiting shed. "Rain or shine, we are all suffering," he added.

Trade around the launch terminal has been hit hard. Stalls that once thrived on the flow of launch passengers now unable to find the usual number of customers.

Ali Hossain, a local trader, said, "I used to sell tea and snacks and earned Tk 2,000-3,000 a day. Now it's down to just about Tk 1,000. With fewer passengers, my sales have dropped drastically. I don't know how I'll feed my family. Many shopkeepers are already packing up and leaving."

Due to the dramatic drop in passenger numbers, launch workers are spending their days inactively. "We used to see around 1,500 passengers daily. Now it has dropped to just 300-400," said Supervisor Md Selim.

"Our earnings have dropped, and if this continues, launch operations might cease altogether," he added.

Passenger Babul Uddin said, "There is no proper boarding facility at the new location. It is especially dangerous for the elderly. We are getting drenched in the rain as there is no shelter. A permanent solution must be arranged.'

Shibaloy Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Zakir Hossain said, "We are closely monitoring the situation. We're coordinating with BIWTA to ensure passenger safety and to take necessary measures promptly."

BIWTA Aricha River Port Executive Engineer Nepal Chandra Debnath stated they immediately inspected the erosion site after the collapse of the jetty. He also said that they currently lack sufficient geo-bags to drop in the river in order to control erosion.

"The river current is very strong and water levels are high. Officials from the Water Development Board have also visited the site. Further actions will be taken based on the evolving condition of the erosion," he added.

The Paturia-Daulatdia waterway is a critical communication link between Dhaka and 21 districts in the country's southwestern region. Although erosion of the Padma River is a natural occurrence, residents warn that without sustainable and timely interventions, this crucial route may face even greater threats in the near future.

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