After ferries, launch services on Shimulia-Kanthalbari route suspended due to poor navigability

The launch services on the Shimulia-Kanthalbari route have been suspended for poor navigability in the channel.

The service was suspended from early Monday till 9am, resumed for a short period and suspended again.

Due to poor navigability, plying of ferries on the route has been suspended for the last five days. Passengers are in trouble as the launch services have also been suspended.

Shahadat Hossain, assistant director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), Shimulia ghat, said the launch service was suspended till 9am.

Later when the tide came in, some launches left the dock. However at least five of them got stuck due to lack of adequate water. 

Two of the launches managed to reach their destination with great difficulty, while three others –MV Fahim Express, MV Tapan Express and MV Shaon Express - are still stuck there, he added.

Shahadat also said that despite facing problems for poor navigability, 80 out of the 87 launches on this route were plying till Sunday. 

The channel is being dredged with two dredger machines. Launch services will resume once navigability is back. 

Shafiqul Islam, deputy general manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation's (BIWTC) at Shimulia ghat, said the ferry services have been halted since 4pm on October 15 for poor navigability.

“We have been informed by BIWTA's dredging department that it will take at least three more days to restore the navigability in the channel,” he added.