2024-04-02 19:48:24
On the occasion of upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, the least number of people in Dhaka will go home by boat this year. This number is approximately 22 lakh 50 thousand; Which is 15 percent of the total Eid pilgrims of Dhaka. Two years ago this number was approximately 37 lakh.
This information has been highlighted in the pre-Eid sector-wise monitoring report of Shipping and Communication Reporters Forum (SCRF), an organization of media workers. The magnum opus of the report was released in a news release on Tuesday (April 2).
According to SCRF, these passengers will go to the launch through Sadarghat terminal of Dhaka river port. Majority of these 2.25 million people are commuters from greater Barisal region. The rest of the passengers will go to Chandpur, Madaripur Shariatpur, Munshiganj and Noakhali.
According to the report, every Eid-ul-Fitr, about 1.5 million people leave the neighboring areas including Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj. Two years ago, 25 percent (37 lakh 50 thousand) of Dhaka’s Eid pilgrims used the waterway. And 55 and 20 percent of people used to travel by road and railway respectively.
According to the report, after the launch of Padma Bridge in June 2022, the rate of boat passengers in districts other than Chandpur, Munshiganj and Hatia has decreased by 40 percent; Which is 10 percent of the total Eid pilgrims. As such, approximately 22 lakh 50 thousand people will go by boat this Eid.
According to the report, the public holiday will start from April 10. But the influx of people towards the house will actually start from April 4. Eid special launch service will run from that day. In seven days from April 4 to 10 (the day before Eid), 2.25 million people will leave Dhaka by sea. As such, more than 3 lakh passengers will go to their destination through Sadarghat terminal every day.
Referring to the shortage of boats, the report said that on paper, there are 41 sea routes from Dhaka to various destinations. However, at least 10 waterways have already been abandoned due to the severe shipping crisis and lack of passengers due to the non-operation of large-scale and luxury launches. On the remaining 31 waterways, 175 small and large launches will ply on the occasion of Eid.
The SCRF report also said that if 84 (half of 175) launches carry more than 3 lakh passengers per day, an average of about 3,500 passengers will be carried per launch. But none of the launches have a capacity of more than 2,000. Many launches have a passenger capacity of less than 1,000. Apart from this, three days before Eid, the crowd towards the house will increase one and a half times.
According to the report, many launches carry double to triple the capacity of people to handle the passenger pressure. As a result, additional passengers will be picked up on the roof as well as on the deck. Apart from this, Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated in the winter season. The weather forecast also mentions the danger of low pressure in the sea. All in all, there is danger of unintended accidents along with chaos and public suffering in navigation.
In the report, it is recommended to increase the number of boats in the alternative system under the government initiative for the sake of hassle-free and safe Eid journey. Apart from this, the organization has called upon all concerned authorities including the law and order forces to take maximum surveillance and strict security measures in the waterways including the terminal.