Sandwip-Ctg ferry may face suspension due to rough sea; locals call for weather-based operations

The Ministry of Shipping issued a directive on Sunday (20 April) to the chairman of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) to suspend ferry operations on the recently inaugurated Chittagong-Sandwip route, citing adverse weather conditions. 

This decision ignited immediate protests, with hundreds of Sandwip residents staging a rally and forming a human chain in front of the Chittagong Press Club today (22 April).

Expressing their frustration, protesters questioned the rationale behind halting ferry services while speedboats and smaller vessels continue to navigate the Sanwdip route during the April-October period, often characterised by rough seas. 

They argued that relying solely on a broad, outdated weather alarm system for the entire six-month span fails to account for the availability of hourly updates from modern weather monitoring. 

They urged authorities to suspend ferry services only during actual periods of bad weather and maintain operations at all other times.

Saleh Noman, a Sandwip resident and Chattogram-based journalist who presided over the protest programme, criticised the lack of consultation with stakeholders, passengers, and ferry operators before the service suspension. 

He asserted that their experience could have provided valuable insights for maintaining operations. 

Noman accused certain government officials of attempting to shut down this vital ferry service, a result of the long-fought movement by the people of Sandwip, without any prior discussion, a decision he stated the residents would not accept. 

He insisted that the ferry service should continue, utilising real-time updates from a modern weather alarm system in coordination with Chattogram port.

Other speakers at the rally echoed same sentiments, alleging a conspiracy against the ferry service and vowing a strong response. 

They warned of escalating protests if the government failed to heed their demands and keep the ferry operational.

While the ministry had sent the suspension order to the BIWTA chairman, the Chattogram regional office of the authority had yet to receive any such instructions, said Deputy Director Mohammad Kamruzzaman. 

He told The Business Standard that they would act upon receiving directives from the Dhaka office.

Contradicting the weather-related explanation for the suspension, Kamruzzaman cited a "technical issue." 

"The ferry currently in use lacks a bay-crossing certificate, being suitable only for river navigation and thus not permitted for maritime routes under the country's laws," said the official.

Gopal Chandra Majumder, deputy general manager of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), Chattogram region, said the ferry had obtained a permit from the Directorate General of Shipping to operate on the route only between 15 October and 15 March. 

He acknowledged the current rough sea conditions, deeming the existing ferry unsuitable for such weather. 

"The ferry service would be halted within the next three days, with a coastal ship to be provided as a temporary replacement," he added.

He also mentioned efforts to deploy a sea truck capable of carrying three vehicles by June.

The ferry service, inaugurated on 24 March by six advisers of the interim government after a swift six-month implementation, had brought much-needed relief to the approximately four lakh residents of Sandwip.

Despite the lack of a comprehensive integrated project and allegations of no feasibility study, survey, or environmental clearance, the project involved a significant investment of around Tk250 crore. This included the construction of a 1,300-metre road in the tidal zones of Banshbaria in Sitakunda and Guptachara in Sandwip, on opposite sides of the Sandwip channel.