Mad rush at Shimulia ferry ghat ahead of Eid

Mad rush at Shimulia ferry ghat ahead of Eid

Shimulia ferry ghat in Munshiganj is witnessing a massive rush of home-bound people as thousands are leaving Dhaka and adjacent areas to celebrate Eid with their loved ones amid the pandemic.

As speed boat and launch service remain suspended, desperate home-bound people are gathering at the ferry ghat on foot or whatever vehicles they could avail – paying extra.

A total of 15 ferries are operating at the ghat where around over 400 vehicles, including ambulances and vehicles carrying patients and dead bodies, are waiting to cross the rivers, reports our Munshiganj correspondent.

Naval police detained seven trawlers from Padma river since last night till 7:00am today for carrying passengers, defying the government instructions, said Md Foysal, manager (commerce) of BIWTC.

The BIWTC official said the authorities cannot operate ferry services properly due to the huge rush of people at the ghat.

Sirajul Kabir, in-charge of Mawa Naval Police, said ambulances and vehicles carrying patients and dead bodies are being given priority to board the ferries.

But the number of goods-laden vehicles and private cars are also significant, he said.

Many people could not board the ferries even after waiting for hours, he added.

Around 300 passengers were sent back from three Sirajganj-bound trawlers from Narayanganj.

Legal action will be taken against the trawlers after the drives, he said.

mj/