Pabna, Sept 10 V7N- The suspension of speedboat operations on the Kazirhat-Aricha route in Pabna has caused significant disruption for passengers, particularly those who rely on this mode of transportation for faster travel to Dhaka. Speedboats have been a popular choice, as they significantly reduce travel time compared to ferries and launches. Passengers are now forced to use the slower alternatives, leading to discomfort and inconvenience.

Speedboat services on this route, which began around 2016, used to cater to approximately 1,000 passengers daily, with numbers increasing to 10,000 during Eid. The suspension occurred after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, when local Awami League leaders, who previously operated the speedboats, went into hiding. As a result, all speedboat services came to a halt.

Locals, including passengers and traders, have requested the intervention of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) to resume the speedboat services. Many travelers, such as Ariful Islam, who regularly commutes between Dhaka and his village, expressed frustration at the additional time it takes to travel by ferry or launch. Similarly, businessman Saiful Islam highlighted the inconvenience, pointing out that while speedboats take only 20-25 minutes, ferries or launches take around an hour and a half.

Speedboat operators, like Ferdous Hossain and Abdul Baten, explained that the previous government had allowed Awami League leaders to operate an excessive number of speedboats on the route, often overcrowding them in a bid to make more money. They are now calling for a more regulated and safe operation of speedboat services.

Md. Abdul Wakil, a BIWTA port officer, confirmed that efforts have been made to resume speedboat operations. However, the owners of the speedboats, many of whom were linked to the previous government, have gone into hiding, preventing the restart of the service. BIWTA has proposed canceling the existing route permits and issuing new ones to resolve the issue and ensure the service is back on track as soon as possible.

END/SRP/RH