Ferry terminal being relocated to avert collision with Padma Bridge
On Friday morning, ferry “Kakoli” hit the pillar no. 10 of the bridge
The Ministry of Shipping has decided to relocate the Banglabazar ferry terminal aiming to prevent the under-construction Padma Bridge from being hit by ferries.
The terminal will be shifted to Majhirkandi Ghat of Zajira in Shariatpur.
It has also been decided not to run the Ro-Ro ferry on the Banglabazar-Shimulia route till the shifting is done.
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Earlier on Friday morning, the ferry "Kakoli," on the way from Banglabazar Ghat to Shimulia Ghat, hit the pillar no. 10 of the bridge.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury visited Shimulia Ferry Ghat in Munshiganj, the Shimulia-Banglabazar route, and Majhirkandi Ghat in Shariatpur after the accident.
During his visit, the minister said the safety of the Padma Bridge is extremely important.
"We are investigating the reasons behind the carelessness and this stark disregard for instructions that are causing the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents," he added.
At that time, Shipping Secretary Mohammad Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Chairman Syed Mohammad Tajul Islam, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Chairman Commodore Golam Sadeq and Padma Bridge Security Brigade Chief Brigadier General Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, among others, were present.
Meanwhile, the BIWTC has temporarily suspended the acting master and another employee of the ferry after the accident.
Earlier, ferries had hit pillars 16 and 17 on 20 and 23 July and pillar 10 on 9 August.
In those incidents, investigation committees were formed and ferry drivers were suspended.
