Barisal port terminals shifted twice in a week

A BIWTA dredger in operation in the Kirtonkhola near Barisal port, snapped yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

Launch and steamer terminals at the port were shifted twice in a week, but there is no respite from the problem, BITWA sources and vessel operators said.

The BIWTA has started dredging of the river on an emergency basis.

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They said a big underwater shoal stretching about half a kilometre is threatening navigation near the port. The port might be threatened if it is not removed immediately before the water level falls further.

BIWTA sources said, medium size vessels like double-decker launches need at least 14-feet deep water and smaller ones need 8-feet water.

But the water depth is only two to three feet during high tide near the port.

Vessels are now plying with risks through a narrow channel.

BIWTA sources said dredging is done routinely every year before or after the dry season. But this year dredging has been started in the monsoon on an emergency basis because of seriousness of the problem.

But shortage of dredgers and funds are affecting the work. "We have acute shortage of dredging vessels, manpower, and budget", a BIWTA official told this correspondent seeking anonymity.

Azizul Huq Akkas, vice-president of Barisal Launch Owners Association and its representative to BIWTA dredging supervision committee said dredging of the Kirtonkhola near the port should have been done last year when formation of the shoals was in primary stage.

"Now the work has become costly, time consuming and difficult".

But there is no alternative to continuation of dredging at any cost to save the port and keep it navigable round the year, he said.