With the beginning of the dry season, a severe crisis of navigability has been recorded at 20 points on the Baghabari-Paturia river route, due to a drastic fall in the water level. Therefore, plying of river transports, mainly fertiliser- and fuel-laden barges and vessels, are getting hampered, posing threat to the cultivation of Rabi crop, which is taking place now. Sources said that fuel- and fertiliser-laden barges and vessels can’t reach the Baghabari river port from Paturia and Arichaghat, smoothly, because of the emergence of innumerable shoals at different points in the Jamuna river. Lack of proper dredging, in time, is also a reason behind the crisis.
Farmers in 16 northern districts are now apprehending that they may face hardship during the peak season of Rabi crop farming. Abdus Salam, lease holder of the Baghabari river port, said at that the water level needs to be at least eight to nine feet, for smooth movement of fertiliser- and fuel-laden barges and vessels. Now, the depth is below eight feet, at different points, including Kazirhat, Bhetarnirchar, the mouth of the Boral river, Mohonganj, Nakalia, Harirampur, Penchakola, Charsaifullah, Nagorbari Kalya npur Char, Kaitola, Dhalarchar, Mollarchar, Gangadiarchar, Nikli, Hemganj, and Hazaribandhaghat area. Of them, the condition of Kazirhat is the worst. During a recent visit to Baghabari Ghat area, this correspondent found that the barges and vessels can’t reach the Baghabari river port in time, due to poor navigability in the main channel.
Port sources said that sacks of fertiliser are being unloaded from different barges and vessels by the lighterage system, near Kazirhat point. From there, the sacks are being taken to Baghabari river port in small boats, which, in turn, is increasing transportation costs.
The Paturia-Baghabari river route is important for the transportation of chemical fertilisers, fuel oil, and other goods, to 16 districts in the northern region. At least 90 per cent of fuel oil and fertilisers are brought to different parts of the northern region—from Chittagong and abroad—through Baghabari Ghat, while rice, wheat and maize are sent to Dhaka and other places in the country, via the same port. The situation might impact Boro farming, and the production target may not be achieved this year, due to the short supply of fuel oil and fertiliser, during the peak season, farmers alleged. Azmal Huda Mithu Sarkar, assistant director and assistant port and transport officer of BIWTA at Baghabari Ghat, said that they have written to the higher authorities, demanding dredgers for the desiltation of the river channels. But no dredger has been commissioned at any of the vulnerable points, yet. When contacted, Abdul Mazid, the in-charge of Jamuna depot at Baghabari river port, said dredging at the vulnerable points is urgent, to keep the route activated. Otherwise, supply of fuel oil from three oil depots like the Padma, Meghna and Jamuna, to different parts of the region, may be hampered. He urged BIWTA officials to take necessary steps to excavate the channel, as soon as possible.