Severe fog caused significant disruption to ferry services across the Padma River yesterday, with operations between Doulatdia in Rajbari and Paturia in Manikganj suspended for nearly three hours.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Aricha office reported that dense fog formed over the Padma River basin shortly after midnight and gradually intensified. By 4:00 a.m., visibility had dropped drastically, leaving two ferries—Enayetpuri (Ro-Ro) and Baigar (K-type)—stranded mid-river after departing from Doulatdia Ghat. With navigation rendered unsafe, authorities halted all ferry movements along the Doulatdia-Paturia route from 4:30 a.m. to prevent potential accidents.
Several ferries at both terminals anchored as a precaution until conditions improved. Traffic on nearby roads and highways was also affected, with vehicles forced to travel slowly using headlights, and in some areas, movement was temporarily stopped due to dense fog.
Ferry Positions During Fog
| Terminal | Ferry Name | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Paturia 3 | Khanjahan Ali | Ro-Ro (large) |
| Paturia 3 | Keramat Ali | Ro-Ro (large) |
| Paturia 3 | Bonolota | Utility (small) |
| Paturia 4 | Bhasha Soinik Dr. Golam Mawla | Ro-Ro |
| Paturia 4 | Shah Poran | Ro-Ro |
| Paturia 5 | Shah Makhdoom | Ro-Ro |
| Paturia 5 | Hasna Hena | Utility |
| Doulatdia 4 | Dhaka | K-type (medium) |
| Doulatdia 7 | Birshreshtha Matiur Rahman | Ro-Ro |
Acting Deputy General Manager of BIWTC Aricha, Abdus Salam, explained that the sudden fog had turned the river into a near-total blackout, making navigation highly risky. “When the two ferries became trapped midstream, we immediately suspended all ferry operations to avoid accidents,” he said.
By 6:45 a.m., the fog began to clear, allowing ferries stranded mid-river to return safely to the ghats. Subsequently, anchored vessels resumed operations one by one, restoring normal service along the route.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by river transport in Bangladesh, particularly during sudden weather changes. Authorities continue to monitor river and weather conditions to ensure passenger safety and minimise disruption in future.