Photo: BSS

By Al-Amin Shahriar

BHOLA, Nov 1, 2025 (BSS) - A severe navigational crisis has emerged across the vast river routes of the coastal district of Bhola due to the formation of numerous underwater shoals (sandbars). 

The problem has become acute on the Bhola-Lakshmipur (Mojuchowdhury Hat), Daulatkhan-Char Alexander, Bhola-Barishal, Bhola-Mehendiganj and Bhola-Patuakhali river routes through the Meghna, Tetulia, Kalabador, Bura Gauranga, Betua and Ilisha rivers.

As a result, ferry and launch movement is facing serious disruption, leading to loss of time, money and mounting sufferings for passengers and vehicle operators.

A spot visit found a massive shoal in the midsection of the Meghna River, just east of the Ilisha ferry terminal in Bhola. 

The shoal stretches north to south over a vast area - parts of it remain exposed during low tide and submerge again at high tide. Because of this, launches and ferries are being forced to take a detour of six to seven kilometers via Tulatuli and Kachia to reach Lakshmipur.

Launch masters and ferry operators said vessels must move cautiously as at least seven to eight shoals block the route. If ferries or launches fail to cross before the tide falls, they get stuck and passengers have to wait for hours - sometimes even after the tide rises, the vessels cannot move.

Where the ferry trip earlier took two to two and a half hours, it now takes three and a half to four hours due to the shoals. Launch trips that previously took just over an hour now take nearly two to two and a half hours.

Truck drivers Bashir, Alauddin and Kamrul Mia, who regularly travel from Bhola to Chattogram, said the ferry crossing now takes much longer. 

"We sometimes have to wait three to four days at the terminals," one said. "There are no proper parking areas, toilets or food facilities at either side of the river, forcing us to live in miserable conditions."

Jamal Uddin, leaseholder of the Ilisha ferry terminal, said the shoals have reduced ferry trips to only two or three per day, increasing congestion and passengers' suffering.

Aliur Rahman, master of the ferry Kusumkoli, said, "Because of the shoals, ferries must take a detour of six kilometers. We have to measure the water depth constantly while navigating, which increases fuel costs and travel time by two to five hours. Ferries and launches often break down after getting stuck."

Md. Kawsar Hossain, manager of BIWTC's Ilisha terminal, said three ferries - Kusumkoli, Kolmilota and Kishani - are currently operating on this route. "Even though ferries run day and night, 200-300 vehicles remain stranded on both sides of the river. The main problem is navigability. Due to the shoals, crossing time and expenses have increased significantly," he said.

Md. Mamunur Rashid, Executive Engineer of the Dredging Division of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA)'s Barishal office, told BSS that the navigability problem of the Bhola-Lakshmipur river route is already under the authority's consideration. 

"Dredging is underway at Veduria and Pangasia rivers to restore navigability," he said, adding that dredging at Gachir Khal in Lalmohan and at Betua-Kukri Mukri under Char Fassion will begin by the end of this month.

Md. Shahidul Islam, Port Officer of BIWTA's Bhola region, said, "The Rahmatkhali channel in Lakshmipur has been dredged repeatedly over in the last 12 years, but with little lasting result. One side gets dredged while the other side silts up again." 

He noted that two sluice gates along the channel remain closed most of the time, blocking water flow and accelerating siltation. Moreover, dredged materials have no proper dumping site, so they wash back into the river with the tide, he added.

Authorities said the effective dredging operations will begin soon after identifying locations of the shoals. 

River transport operators have urged the government to start dredging before winter to restore navigability in Bhola's river routes.