The Paturia-Daulatdia route is one of the means of communication in the capital with about 21 districts of the south-west regions. In the lockdown, there is pressure of homebound people on Eid in Paturia ferry ghat area of Shibalaya upazilla of Manikganj. According to the government's decision, though only ambulance crossings are allowed during the day, yet the route is also being used for homebound passengers.
The ferry authorities are struggling to control these passengers. These passengers are crossing the navigable route indiscriminately without giving any attention to the hygiene rules. This increases the risk of corona disease. That is why three separate teams of BGB will work at three points in Manikganj to control the free movement of these homebound passengers.
While exchanging views with local journalists in the conference room of the district administration on Saturday (May 8) evening, Deputy Commissioner SM Ferdous confirmed the matter and said the BGB would work along with the local administration at Dhalla Bridge in Singair Upazilla and Barbaria Bridge in Saturia upazilla and Paturia Ferry Ghat in Shibalaya Upazila from Sunday morning.
Zillur Rahman, DGM of the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation's Aricha office, said two ferries were parked at the ghat area for emergency vehicles, including ambulances. The ambulances carrying the bodies crossed the ferries during the day. However, the ambulance crossing was disrupted due to the intense pressure of homebound people in the ferry terminal area.
Ordinary passengers got on the ferry by force. Therefore, if these homebound passengers are controlled before the wharf, the situation in the ferry wharf area will be normal, he said.
Asked about this, DC SM Ferdous further said that the BGB will help the local administration in enforcing the issue of hygiene and lockdown. However, the issue of ambulances and emergency evacuation will be taken seriously, he said.
BGB has also been deployed at Shimulia Ghat in Munshiganj.
BGB Director (Operations) Lieutenant Colonel Faizur Rahman said BGB has been deployed in Munshiganj and Manikganj from this afternoon. They will assist the civilian administration.