Shimulia ferry ghat is witnessing a massive rush of homebound people as thousands of people are leaving the capital and other cities to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha with their near and dear ones amid the pandemic.
Passengers from different parts of the country have been arriving at Shimulia ferry ghat since morning and crossing the Padma River by ferry and launch.
The launches are carrying more passengers even though they are instructed to carry half their capacity. Social distance and hygiene rules are being ignored.
On the other hand, due to the increase in the number of public transport and private vehicles, it is getting harder to cross the vehicles on ferries. The Dhaka-Mawa Expressway towards Shimulia ghat also has about a 7km long line of goods carrying trucks. More than 600 private vehicles and trucks are waiting to cross the wharf.
Md Soleiman, Traffic Officer, BIWTA Shimulia Launch Ghat, said, "83 launches are currently operating on the waterway to carry passengers."
Shafiqul Islam, Assistant Deputy General Manager, BIWTS Shimulia ghat, said, "There are currently 13 ferries plying the route. There are more than 500 vehicles carrying passengers and goods waiting at the ghat area. All vehicles will cross in phases".
Sirajul Kabir, in-charge of Mawa Naval Police Station, said, "The crowd is huge. We are trying our best to pick up passengers on the launches as per the rules."
