Navigability Crisis
70 cargo vessels stranded in Padma
A long row of fertiliser-laden cargo vessels remain anchored at Daskandi in Shivalaya upazila of Manikganj due to navigability crisis of river Padma. The photo was taken yesterday.Photo: STAR
At least 70 fertiliser-laden cargo vessels have been anchored at Daskandi in Shivalaya upazila as some cargoes stranded at Mular char in the river Padma due to navigability crisis. The vessels loaded with Urea, TSP and Potash started for Nagabrai port of Pabna and Baghabari port of Sirajganj from Chittagang port. Of the vessels, Pushpita-1, MV-Bilash and MV Master Ratul-2 have got stuck in the hidden shoals on Paturia-Nagarbari-Baghabari river route on November 13. Because of navigability crisis, the other cargoes forced to anchor at Daskandi, said the cargo masters. However, cargo master of Pushpita-1 Md Ziaul Haque said the carrying contractor is forcing them to anchor at Mular char to save the unloading cost. Shahjal Haque, senior deputy director of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) at Aricha office, said the vessels moved through the channel with 9 to 11 feet draft to save transport cost while they are allowed with 6 to 6.5 feet draft. BIWTA is continuing dredging work to make the channel navigable and it will be suitable to move for cargoes with 11 feet draft within three to four days, he said.
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