Govt eyes to connect Bhola with mainland within 4-5 years: Rabiul

Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam today (8 September) said the government has a plan to construct roads and bridges within the next four to five years to bring the island district of Bhola under the country's mainland road network.

Bhola has no direct road connection with other parts of the country; its people have long been dependent on waterways for transportation, he said while speaking to journalists after formally inaugurating the direct ferry service between Narayanganj's Kanchpur and Bhola's Ilisha at Kanchpur in Siddhirganj.

To permanently resolve this situation, the government has undertaken a plan to connect Bhola with the mainland by constructing roads and bridges.

He hoped the ferry services would continue until the permanent road connection is established, in order to facilitate the movement of people and transportation of goods. 

As part of this initiative, direct ferry services have begun operating on the Kanchpur–Ilisha water route, he said.

The minister said ferry operations on the route began on a trial basis on 27 August.

Experience from the first few days of trial operations showed significant demand and interest in the route not only from passengers but also from private cars, pickup vans and cargo trucks, he mentioned.

Currently, two ferries named Begum Sufia Kamal and Begum Rokeya are operating daily, he said, adding that it takes approximately eight hours to travel from one end of the route to the other.

Considering the strong public response, the government is considering increasing the number of ferries on the route, he added.

At the same time, relevant authorities have been instructed to rationalise ferry fares, improve passenger services and ensure discipline at the ferry terminals, he said.

The minister said initiatives have also been taken to make Dhaka's circular waterways and water bus services more effective. 

He said these services could become more popular if fixed schedules, comfortable conditions for passengers and better coordination between waterways and road transport could be ensured. 

This would reduce public suffering while also helping to reduce losses in the water transport sector, he said.

Regarding roads damaged by monsoon rains and floods, the minister said necessary steps have been taken to repair the affected roads quickly.

He added that the issue of unplanned and illegal sand extraction around various bridges would also be given serious attention. 

If evidence of unauthorised sand extraction is found, strict action will be taken against those responsible, he warned.