Sandwip-Ctg ferry may face suspension due to rough sea; locals call for weather-based operations | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Saturday
June 21, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2025
Sandwip-Ctg ferry may face suspension due to rough sea; locals call for weather-based operations

Bangladesh

TBS Report
22 April, 2025, 04:45 pm
Last modified: 22 April, 2025, 04:52 pm

Related News

  • Mango business vibrates local economy in Rajshahi region post-Eid
  • Bangladesh calls for separate South Asia-China platform to tackle climate risks
  • DSE serves query to Lovello over unusual share price hike
  • Study finds alarming mercury levels in popular skin creams sold in Bangladesh
  • ICAB says only its members have legal statutory audit rights

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

Residents urge authorities to suspend ferry services only during actual periods of bad weather and maintain operations at all other times

TBS Report
22 April, 2025, 04:45 pm
Last modified: 22 April, 2025, 04:52 pm
Residents of Sandwip formed a human chain in front of the Chittagong Press Club today (22 April), protesting the decision to suspend ferry service on Chattogram-Sandwip route due to rough sea condition. Photo: TBS
Residents of Sandwip formed a human chain in front of the Chittagong Press Club today (22 April), protesting the decision to suspend ferry service on Chattogram-Sandwip route due to rough sea condition. Photo: TBS

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. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

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.

Top News

Sandwip Channel / Ferry services / Bangladesh

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Smoke rises following an Israeli attack in Tehran, Iran, June 18, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
    Iran says no to nuclear talks during conflict as UN urges restraint
  • Representational image of accident. Photo: Collected
    9 killed, 20 injured in two road accidents in Mymensingh
  • Four months of dialogue, 50 sessions, consensus reached only on two reform proposals
    Four months of dialogue, 50 sessions, consensus reached only on two reform proposals

MOST VIEWED

  • BAT Bangladesh to shut Mohakhali factory, relocate HQ after lease rejection
    BAT Bangladesh to shut Mohakhali factory, relocate HQ after lease rejection
  • Collage of the two Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) students held over raping classmate after rendering her unconscious and filming videos. Photos: Collected
    2 SUST students held for allegedly rendering female classmate unconscious, raping her, filming nude videos
  • BUET Professor Md Ehsan stands beside his newly designed autorickshaw—just 3.2 metres long and 1.5 metres wide—built for two passengers to ensure greater stability and prevent tipping. With a safety-focused top speed of 30 km/h, the vehicle can be produced at an estimated cost of Tk1.5 lakh. Photo: Junayet Rashel
    Buet’s smart fix for Dhaka's autorickshaws
  • Illustration: Ashrafun Naher Ananna/TBS Creative
    From 18m to 590m Swiss francs: Bangladeshi deposits fly high in Swiss banks
  • Mashrur Arefin appointed Chairman of the Association of Bankers Bangladesh
    Mashrur Arefin appointed Chairman of the Association of Bankers Bangladesh
  • Students attend their graduation ceremony. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo
    US resumes student visas but orders enhanced social media vetting

Related News

  • Mango business vibrates local economy in Rajshahi region post-Eid
  • Bangladesh calls for separate South Asia-China platform to tackle climate risks
  • DSE serves query to Lovello over unusual share price hike
  • Study finds alarming mercury levels in popular skin creams sold in Bangladesh
  • ICAB says only its members have legal statutory audit rights

Features

Monsoon in Bandarban’s hilly hiking trails means endless adventure — something hundreds of Bangladeshi hikers eagerly await each year. But the risks are sometimes not worth the reward. Photo: Collected

Tragedy on the trail: The deadly cost of unregulated adventure tourism in Bangladesh’s hills

10h | Panorama
BUET Professor Md Ehsan stands beside his newly designed autorickshaw—just 3.2 metres long and 1.5 metres wide—built for two passengers to ensure greater stability and prevent tipping. With a safety-focused top speed of 30 km/h, the vehicle can be produced at an estimated cost of Tk1.5 lakh. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Buet’s smart fix for Dhaka's autorickshaws

20h | Features
Evacuation of Bangladeshis: Where do they go next from conflict-ridden Iran?

Evacuation of Bangladeshis: Where do they go next from conflict-ridden Iran?

2d | Panorama
The Kallyanpur Canal is burdened with more than 600,000 kilograms of waste every month. Photo: Courtesy

Kallyanpur canal project shows how to combat plastic pollution in Dhaka

3d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

News of The Day, 20 JUNE 2025

News of The Day, 20 JUNE 2025

10h | TBS News of the day
Israel strikes Iranian missile launch site

Israel strikes Iranian missile launch site

11h | TBS World
Tarique Rahman's Potential Homecoming: Preparations Underway?

Tarique Rahman's Potential Homecoming: Preparations Underway?

9h | TBS Stories
Deposits from Bangladeshis fly high in Swiss banks in 2024

Deposits from Bangladeshis fly high in Swiss banks in 2024

15h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net