Influx of homebound people pouring in Shimulia Ghat

A heavy rush of homebound people was seen at Shimulia Ghat area of ​​Munshiganj, on the third day of Eid holidays.

The pressure of vehicles and passengers at the terminal has increased on Sunday in comparison to the last few days.

However, the shortage of ferries has intensified suffering of commuters of 23 districts in the south-western region of the country.

People started arriving at the ferry terminal since seheri as the day progressed, the queues of vehicles started getting longer. Around 8am in the morning there was a 3km long queue of vehicles.

Owing to this congestion people are leaving the vehicles and started going to the terminal on foot.

The speedboat and launch terminals are overcrowded. Despite being overcharged passengers are happy to be able to travel to their hometowns this year.

Shahadat Hossain, a Shimulia port official of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), said there has been huge passenger pressure since morning. There is no place to set foot in the speedboat and launch terminal areas, he added.

Passengers are being transported by 152 speedboats, 85 launches and eight trawlers since dawn. Launch movement was stopped at 7pm last night and resumed this morning, he said.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC)'s Shimulia Ghat Manager (Commerce) Jamal Hossain said a total of 10 ferries are currently operating on the route. Hundreds of vehicles have crossed the ghat area since morning.

However, there are more than 800 vehicles in the ghat area, but the condition of the highway cannot be ascertained from here.

BIWTC has designated terminal number one for motorcycles. Still, they are struggling to cross the motorcycles. This time during Eid holidays the pressure of motorcycles is the highest said the official.

Also, ferries have halted carrying buses on Shimulia-Banglabazar route, reports one of our correspondents. This has caused all busses to be rerouted to Paturia-Daulatdia ghat which is causing huge congestion at that ghat as well.