The busy Daulatdia-Paturia ferry route typically handles 1,500 to 2,000 vehicles a day. During Eid, that number swells several times over. Ahead of that Eid rush, falling water levels in the Padma river have created a host of problems at Rajbari’s Daulatdia terminal.

The approach roads to the three functioning jetties are now steep, while the pontoon bridges sit low in the water, causing frequent minor accidents as vehicles board and disembark. The process takes longer than usual, increasing delays and misery for travellers. Drivers and passengers fear a repeat of severe Eid travel disruption unless authorities act quickly.

At the terminal, the low water level is starkly visible. Jetties 3, 4 and 7 are the only ones in operation. Even these are affected by the steep ramps and low-slung pontoons. Minor collisions and mishaps are a daily occurrence. The area is perpetually shrouded in dust, and loading and unloading ferries takes considerably longer than before. The situation, travellers say, is down to the jetty authorities’ mismanagement.

“This is happening because of the ferry authorities’ mismanagement,” said Hamidul Islam, a driver for K-Line Paribahan who had travelled from Satkhira. “It’s also damaging vehicles’ parts. If the approach roads aren’t repaired now, ferrying passengers during Eid will become very difficult.” Truck driver Khayer Uddin Mia from Rajbari made the same complaint.

The Rajbari district administration held a coordination meeting on Sunday to ensure a smooth Eid journey. Among those present were Harun-or-Rashid, MP for the Rajbari-2 constituency; District Administrator Sultana Akhtar; Superintendent of Police Mohammad Manjur Morshed; and Md Salahuddin, manager of the BIWTC terminal at Daulatdia, along with other jetty officials.

“To ensure a hassle-free Eid journey,” said Md Salahuddin, the BIWTC manager at Daulatdia, “16 ferries and 20 launches will operate on the route, using the three functioning jetties.”

SP Mohammad Manjur Morshed said special patrol teams would be deployed to stop extortion and touts at the terminal area, and that Daulatdia ferry ghat would be kept under constant surveillance.