Dense fog halts ferry services on Shariatpur-Chandpur route, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded

Ferry services on the Shariatpur–Chandpur river route were suspended temporarily due to dense fog, leaving more than a hundred vehicles stranded on both banks of the river.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) halted ferry operations on the route from 12:30am today (2 January), citing dangerously low visibility.

Md Iqbal Hossain, deputy manager of the Narsinghpur ferry terminal, said, "Sudden dense fog late at night drastically reduced visibility on the river. Considering safety and to avoid accidents, we decided to suspend ferry operations temporarily."

According to BIWTC sources, six ferries currently operate on the Shariatpur–Chandpur route. However, the ferries lack modern fog lights and adequate navigation facilities, making operations risky in foggy conditions. Authorities therefore suspended services as a precautionary measure.

As ferry movement remained suspended, more than a hundred vehicles were seen stranded on both sides of the river. 

Drivers and passengers of buses, trucks, covered vans and smaller vehicles have been waiting for hours to cross, adding to commuters' suffering. Traders also expressed concerns over potential financial losses due to disruptions in goods transportation.

At the Narsinghpur and Chandpur ferry terminals, fog density increased further in the early morning, with visibility reduced to just a few metres mid-river. Many drivers were forced to spend the night at the terminals in cold conditions while waiting for services to resume.

BIWTC officials said ferry operations would resume once the fog clears and visibility on the river improves, adding that the situation is being monitored continuously.

The Shariatpur–Chandpur river route is one of the key transport links in the southern region, used daily by thousands of passengers and for transporting large volumes of goods. During the winter season, dense fog frequently disrupts ferry services, prompting renewed calls for stronger and permanent safety measures on the route.