Vessels get stuck in mid-river, vehicles at ferry points

14 December 2009, 17:00 PM

A Correspondent, Chandpur

Dense fog for the last few days continued to hamper plying of passenger launches, steamers and ferries on the Meghna at Chandpur. Fifteen launches and steamers remained stranded in mid-river due to fog yesterday. The river vessels reached Chandpur launch ghat 7 to 8 hours behind schedule, officials said. Steamer Ostrich coming from Khulna got stuck due to dense fog in Harinaghat area in Chandpur for quite a some time. Besides, passenger and goods laden vehicles on Chittagong and Khulna routes suffered much, as the ferry movement on Chandpur-Shariatpur route remained suspended at night. Vehicles plying on Chandpur-Comilla route had to use headlights at dawn, witnesses said. An official of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) at Chandpur said, at least 15 launches reached Chandpur ghat behind schedule due to dense fog on the Meghna. Though the launches were scheduled to reach Chandpur ferry ghat at midnight and dawn they were about 7 to 8 hours late. Chandpur steamer ghat manager said, steamer Ostrich that left Khulna had to stop running at Harinaghat at Chandpur at 2:00 am. It reached Chandpur steamer ghat at 11:00 am yesterday and left for Dhaka at 11.30 am. Harinaghat ferry manager said, ferry movement at night remained suspended for at least 3 to 4 days due to dense fog. At midnight, the passengers undergo untold sufferings as the vehicles carrying them get stranded on both the ferry points.