The long-awaited ferry service on the Chattogram-Sandwip route officially launches today (March 24), marking the first such service since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 and offering a long-overdue solution to the travel hardships faced by Sandwip residents for over five decades.
The new service is expected to ease journeys, especially ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, ensuring a safer and more comfortable trip home.
Last year, student Rakib’s Eid journey turned into a nightmare when he was detained, along with nine others, during a protest over boat ticket shortages at Kumira Ghat in Sitakunda. This time, however, he is looking forward to a smooth trip, thanks to the newly introduced ferry service.
The launch of this ferry marks a significant milestone, made possible through the dedicated efforts of Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, a native of Sandwip. Speaking to the Daily Sun on Sunday (March 23), he said the Interim Government is committed to connecting remote and underdeveloped areas with the national transport network.
“As part of this effort, launching the ferry service on the Chattogram-Sandwip route is a crucial first step,” he said.
To further improve connectivity, various transport agencies, including Lusai Transport, have announced new bus services for this route.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) will operate the ferry Kapotakshya, which will make its maiden voyage from Banshbaria Ghat in Sitakunda this morning.
In honor of the occasion, Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus will virtually inaugurate the ferry service today, while seven advisers from the Interim Government will visit Sandwip for the event.
The ferry is scheduled to depart for Sandwip at 9 am, reaching Guptachhara Ghat at 10:15 am.
Depending on tidal conditions, it will operate four trips daily, transporting passengers and vehicles. Each trip can accommodate 33 to 40 small vehicles, 12 to 15 trucks and 12 buses, though a final decision on motorcycles is still pending.
Sandwip, a historic island at the mouth of the River Meghna, is home to nearly 4,00,000 people. Until now, there has been no direct travel route to the island. The primary method of transportation has been speedboats from Kumira Ghat to Guptachhara Ghat, which are only available during high tide. During low tide, passengers have had to wade through mud or board small boats before transferring to a speedboat.
Over the past 45 years, at least 34 people, including women and children, have lost their lives in accidents on this route, with the most tragic incident occurring in 2017 when 18 passengers drowned after a boat capsized.
Mosharraf Hossain, former secretary of the Sandwip Association in Chattogram, hailed the ferry service as “the greatest gift from the state to the people of Sandwip in the past half-century”. However, concerns remain about the risks of operating a ferry in the Bay of Bengal. The Sandwip channel has a funnel-shaped coastline, making it highly susceptible to strong tidal effects. Researcher Ataur Rahman said the tidal range near Sandwip exceeds four meters, with wave speeds reaching over three meters per second during high tide.
Acknowledging these challenges, Adviser Fauzul Kabir Khan said, “Operating a ferry in the sea is a new experience for us, but we must take risks to move forward.”
Gopal Chandra Majumdar, deputy general manager of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), explained that Kapotakshya is an inland ferry, and for now, the goal is to ensure smooth operations during Eid. In the first phase, the service will operate seasonally from October to March, with adjustments based on experience.
BIWTC Deputy General Manager Md Kamruzzaman added that a specialised coastal ferry is under construction and is expected to be operational by November.
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
