All Daulatdia ferry terminals face erosion threat as Padma swells
Some adjoining villages, including Bahir Char Sattar Member Para, Mojid Matubber Para, and Shahadat Member Para, as well as markets, mosques, schools, and madrasahs, are also in danger, locals say.
Riverbank erosion in the Padma has taken a serious turn with the rising water level since mid-July, putting all ferry terminals at Daulatdia under threat.
According to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), the three active terminals — No 3, 4, and 7 — in Rajbari's Goalanda upazila are now at serious risk of collapse, reports UNB.
Mohammad Salah Uddin, assistant general manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Daulatdia office, said, "Erosion has made the ferry terminals vulnerable. We've requested BIWTA to take immediate measures."
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Although three terminals are still operational, if erosion worsens, it may disrupt the transportation of passengers and vehicles, he said.
According to locals, sandbags are being dumped as part of emergency repairs the measures are insufficient given the scale of the erosion.
A local tea seller, Shahin Sheikh, however, alleged irregularities in the use of sandbags.
"Every monsoon brings the same problem, but no long-term solution," he said.
Some adjoining villages, including Bahir Char Sattar Member Para, Mojid Matubber Para, and Shahadat Member Para, as well as markets, mosques, schools, and madrasahs, are also in danger, said locals.
They mentioned severe erosion in a two-kilometre stretch around the terminal, particularly around No 4 and 7 terminals, where ferry pontoons are becoming increasingly unstable due to soil loss.
Local residents Altaf Molla, Shahadat Pramanik, and Moyan Sardar said they do not want relief and want only effective river management.
They said they want to save their last refuge. "Many came with promises to prevent erosion, but none kept their word," said Altaf Molla.
Earlier on 2 August, BIWTA officials, including the executive engineer of the Aricha office, visited the site to assess the damage.
Nepal Chandra Debnath, executive engineer of the BIWTA Aricha office, said, "Terminals 4 and 7 are at the highest risk, and we've informed the authorities. As part of emergency repairs, around 700 sandbags have been dumped recently."
However, no bags have been placed in the central part of the terminal yet, he added, saying, "We can complete the remaining work if we receive the required allocation."
