Fresh erosion on the Padma River in Rajbari’s Goalanda upazila has affected at least 100 metres of land in the Daulatdia ferry terminal area over the past two weeks, placing two operational jetties and more than 500 local families at risk.

The erosion now threatens a roughly 500-metre stretch that includes Daulatdia ferry jetties No. 3 and No. 4, both of which remain in service. Of Daulatdia’s seven jetties, only numbers 3, 4 and 7 are currently operational. Jetty No. 6 is closed due to high water levels. Jetty No. 5, rebuilt before Eid, cannot open because it sits at mid-water level. Jetty No. 1 and No. 2 have remained closed since being lost to erosion.

Villagers said most households had already been displaced two or three times before resettling in the area.

The erosion has been reported near the closed No. 1 jetty, where at least 50 metres of land has been lost in a fortnight. Erosion has also begun between operating jetties No. 3 and No. 4, raising concern in the ferry terminal area and nearby riverside settlements.

Local people said geo-bag dumping during the monsoon had not fully prevented erosion, arguing that limited preventive work in the dry season reduced its effectiveness. They demanded geo-bags be deployed at vulnerable points before the rainy season intensifies.

Goalanda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sathi Das said the fresh wave of erosion had put both ferry jetties and local families at risk. She said the deputy commissioner had recently visited the affected area and informed higher authorities, adding that discussions with relevant departments were ongoing and that the Water Development Board would take necessary technical steps.

Mohammad Salahuddin, assistant general manager of BIWTC’s Daulatdia office, said the area was historically erosion-prone. Erosion near the inactive No. 1 jetty was not disrupting ferry operations, but intervention was needed to protect active jetties No. 3 and No. 4. “The matter has been communicated to the BIWTC authority for appropriate action,” he said.