National
Sadarghat Launch Terminal Faces Reduced Demand Amid Road Transport Boost
The allure of river journeys is waning as the Padma Bridge enhances road transport options, causing a notable decline in waterway passenger numbers. At Dhaka’s Sadarghat launch terminal, ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, launch owners are uncertain about the necessity for special services due to reduced demand.
Navigational challenges worsen the situation, increasing travel times and operational costs for launch owners. Consequently, travellers are favoring road options over waterways.
“The improved efficiency in road transport, highlighted by the Padma Bridge, has directly impacted passenger flow to waterway services, halving our figures recently,” stated Badiuzzaman Badal, senior vice president of the Bangladesh Inland Waterways Passenger Carrier Association (BIWPCA).
Severe traffic congestion near the Sadarghat terminal is deterring potential passengers, contributing to the decline. Currently, only 50-55 launches depart daily for southwestern destinations, carrying less than half of their usual passenger loads.
Badal mentioned that unless there is an increase in travellers, the number of operational launches will remain unchanged. However, he hinted at a potential increase in launches if there is an Eid holiday rush.
Traditionally, Eid seasons witnessed launches operating beyond capacity. However, this year, passenger numbers have dropped by almost half.
Launch owners are refraining from raising fares, asserting their commitment to ensuring affordability.
Mohammad Shaheed Mia, president of the National Committee for the Protection of Shipping, Road, and Railways, noted a significant drop in passengers from Barisal and Chandpur, highlighting the long-standing reliance on waterways by people of the southwestern region.
Ashish Kumar Dey, president of the Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF), mentioned a 35% to 45% decline in launch travel patronage over the last 18 months due to various factors, despite it remaining a preferred, cost-effective mode for many.
Despite challenges, an estimated 2.5 million people are expected to depart Dhaka via launches this Eid, according to Ashish.
Alamgir Kabir, joint director at the Bangladesh Inland Waterways Transport Authority (BIWTA), reported a subdued start to the Eid exodus at Sadarghat, with many launches operating at half capacity. However, there is optimism that passenger numbers may rebound as the Eid holiday draws closer.
Leaders of the quota reform movement have resolutely refused to negotiate with the government, insisting that their movement will persist until their demands are met.
In a Facebook post, Hasnat Abdullah, a coordinator of the movement, declared, “No discussion through stepping onto blood.”
Asif Mahmud, another prominent leader, echoed this sentiment, stating, “There can be no dialogue with bullets. I would prefer death over this betrayal.”
He further elaborated, “On one side, there are bullets. On the other, there is a call for dialogue. We can’t sit for dialogue while stepping onto the blood of our brothers.”
Earlier, leaders of the quota reform movement accused the government of escalating the law and order situation towards violence, asserting that their movement was peaceful until the government’s intervention.
Vowing to continue their struggle, Asif Mahmud stated, “We will continue our protests till we achieve our demands for reformation of the quota system, reopening of the halls and campuses, making university campuses terror-free, withdrawing political forces from the campuses, and punishing the killers and attackers.”
He added, “The people of the country have encircled those who tried to corner us. No conspiracy will be able to derail our movement.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged both local and international investors to invest in the extraction of marine resources from Bangladesh’s extensive sea areas.
“In order to fortify the blue economy through the diverse utilization of our marine resources, I call upon local and foreign investors to seize the opportunity to invest in Bangladesh. This will enable us to harness more of our marine resources,” she announced.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during the inauguration of the Bangladesh International Aquaculture and Seafood Show-2024 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka.
She emphasized the importance of adhering to proper standards in the collection, distribution, and processing of fish to boost exports, aiming to make fish the country’s second-largest source of foreign currency.
Sheikh Hasina pointed out that her government has made limited progress in harvesting fish and other sea resources from the deep sea due to a lack of interest from local investors.
“Therefore, we need foreign investment to advance in this area. This is the reality we must face,” she noted.
She also suggested that both local and foreign investors can collaborate in joint ventures or invest separately in this sector to achieve better results.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate and moderately heavy rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across all eight divisions of the country over the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
In its weather bulletin issued this morning, the BMD stated, “Light to moderate rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty wind is expected in a few places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Additionally, one or two places in Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, and Barisal divisions may experience similar conditions, with moderately heavy falls anticipated at several locations in Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions.”
The bulletin also highlighted that the current mild heat wave sweeping across the Rangpur division and the districts of Tangail, Chuadanga, Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogra, and Netrokona may persist.
Daytime temperatures are expected to rise slightly, while nighttime temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged throughout the country.
On Wednesday, the highest recorded temperature was 36.7 degrees Celsius, observed in Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Rajarhat. The lowest temperature recorded today was 26.0 degrees Celsius, noted in Bandarban and Teknaf.
Over the last 24 hours, rainfall amounted to 16 mm in Bandarban.
For the capital, the sun will set at 6:48 pm today and rise at 5:21 am tomorrow.
