Navigability crisis in Padma leaves hundreds affected as Faridpur port operations remain suspended

A navigability crisis in the Padma River is badly hampering the movement of vessels, resulting in the suspension of port operations in Faridpur C&B ghat for nearly three months.

Cargo vessels arriving from distant districts are also getting stranded at various points due to emerging sandbars. 

The disruption has left hundreds of workers and small traders jobless, severely affecting their livelihoods. They urged the government to immediately start dredging operations.

Nurul Sheikh, a day labourer who used to work there, said his family depends entirely on income from this port.

"With no vessels arriving, our earnings have dropped sharply," he said. 

"I have two children who are studying. I am struggling to cover household expenses as well as their education costs. At times, I have to bring money from home to maintain my own expenses."

Lalon, another day labourer who came here from Naogaon, said, "It has become hard to manage my own meals, and I can't send enough money home. We urge the government to consider our situation and immediately start dredging operations."

Not only the workers related to the port but also small traders and leaseholders are facing losses and urged the authority to start dredging operations in the river. 

Md. Mujibur Rahman, a leaseholder, said that currently he is facing daily losses of nearly Tk 80-90 thousand.  

"I have sent 25 letters to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) over the past three months requesting action, but no measures have been taken so far," he added. 

Besides, ships and cargo vessels anchored unprotected in mid-river areas, several kilometers away from the port, are exposed to operational challenges and risks. Goods need to be transported from these ships using small trawlers, leading to substantial financial losses for traders. 

According to them, business costs are rising significantly for this reason. 

The crisis also has negative effects on the national economy as locals claimed. 

They said, Faridpur's renowned "golden fibre" jute is exported to international markets through Chattogram Port via this river terminal. In addition, coal and sand from Sylhet and cement shipments from Narayanganj are unloaded at this port. 

The terminal also maintains commercial connections with districts, including Cumilla and has linkage to Mongla seaport. 

While contacted regarding the issue, District Commissioner of Faridpur Mohammad Kamrul Hasan Mollah acknowledged that the river port is facing severe losses due to navigability crisis.

He added that the matter has been reported to higher authorities and expressed hope that dredging operations would begin soon.

"Due to election-related activities, the work may have been delayed, but we hope dredgers will now be deployed at all the newly emerged sandbars to restore the river's natural flow."

"BIWTA is aware of the situation, and we have been informed that they will take prompt action," he added.

However, despite several attempts, Subrata Kumar Roy, deputy director of the Aricha River Port under BIWTA, couldn't be reached.