Poor Navigability Hits Baghabari-Paturia Channel

Fertiliser, fuel supply to 16 dists hampered

14 November 2009, 17:00 PM

Golam Mostafa Jibon, from Baghabari Ghat

As big vessels and barges cannot reach Baghabari river port due to poor navigability in the main channel of the Jamuna, lighter vessels carry goods from the big ones to shore. Right, labourers carry fertilisers to godowns after they were unloaded from lighter vessels.Photo: STAR

Movement of water transport, especially cargo vessels and barges loaded with fertiliser and fuel, is being hampered in Baghabari-Paturia channel due to poor navigability of the Jamuna. Water level of the river and its tributaries has fallen drastically and dredging in the main channel has now become urgent to keep it navigable for big oil tankers and vessels, sources in the Baghabari River Port authorities said. They said at least 9-11 feet depth of water is needed in the channel for smooth movement of fertiliser and fuel loaded cargo vessels and barges. But the water level now goes seven feet below normal at different points of the main channel. Meanwhile, the farmers of 16 northern districts are apprehending shortage of fertiliser and diesel during the Irri-Boro season. Due to drastic fall in water level, fertiliser and fuel loaded transports are reaching Baghabari by using alternative route, which takes more time. During a recent visit to Baghabari river port, masters (drivers) of some cargo vessels and barges told this correspondent that they cannot reach Baghabari with large cargo vessels and barges on schedule, as a number of shoals have emerged at different points of Nakalia, Berakhola, Latifpur, Pechakhola, Char Saifullah and Mohonganj, disrupting movement of water transports. As a result, they are being compelled to carry lighter cargo vessels and barges and use alternative ways to reach there. Sources in the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) office said they are yet to start dredging this year due to dredger crisis. They further said the BIWTA used to rent dredgers from Water Development Board (WDB) in the past as per requirement. They have also rented five dredgers from WDB this year. But the WDB could not supply them in time, the sources added. Abdur Razzaq, in charge of Baghabari river port, and Mostafizur Rahman, assistant director of the port, said the farmers of northern region will face acute fertiliser and fuel crises in the peak Irri-Boro season if the channel is not dredged on emergency basis. They said they have sent several letters to the authorities concerned for taking necessary actions but to no effect. They urged the authorities concerned to start dredging in the main channel for smooth movement of water transport. Besides, the officials of Padma, Meghna and Jamuna fuel depots at Baghabari river port told The Daily Star the farmers of northern districts will face shortage of fuel this season if fuel transportation on the route remains suspended for two or three days. They also demanded immediate steps to start dredging in the route.