Shipping in southern region incurs losses for Padma Bridge

MV Zahid a double decker launch from Khepupara/

Patuakhali: Since the inauguration of the much awaited Padma Bridge, the shipping sector of the southern region is in turmoil. At least 40 percent of passengers have decreased on the Kalapara-Dhaka, Patuakhali-Dhaka, Amtali-Dhaka, Rangabali-Dhaka sea routes due to the ease of road communication with the capital Dhaka.

Due to this, the owners of double-decker launches, launch ghat lease takers and related businessmen are suffering losses. Apart from this, the increase in the price of fuel oil has affected the shipping sector. There has been no meeting with the Shipping Authority, Ministry of Finance and launch owners regarding the fare increase in shipping, so the launch supervisors are taking Tk 100-200 more. 

A joint meeting is scheduled to be held this week to adjust the fares, a source said.

It is known that four launches are running daily on the Patuakhali-Dhaka route without rotation. These include MV Sundarban-9, MV Jamal-5, MV Kuakata-1, MV Kajal-7, MV Sundarban-14, MV Pubali-12, MV Prince Awlad, MV Parabat. Fares of Tk 550-650 are currently being collected from the passengers of these launches. Cabin rent is being collected for single 1500 taka, double 3000 taka.

Meanwhile, MV Zahid-8, MV Jamal-8, MV Yad, MV Pubali-6, MV Zahid-3, MV Asa Jawa-1 and MV Chandni are running in rotation due to the sudden decrease in the number of passengers on the Kalapara-Dhaka route.

600-650 Tk is being collected from deck passengers. Cabin for single 1500 taka, double 3000 taka. Today Monday (August 8) MV Zahid-8 left Kalapara for Dhaka. Due to adverse weather throughout the day, the launch left the Kalapara launch ghat with 15 passengers and 10 cabin passengers.

MV Zahid-8 double-decker launch supervisor Md. Shah Alam said, “Our launch cabin has a capacity of 104 passengers. We got 10 passengers in the cabin today. I got only 15 ordinary passengers on deck. Now, if passengers do not board from other ghats, we will be responsible for the staff costs for this trip."

Md. Jalal Uddin, supervisor of MV Asa-Jawa-1 launch anchored at the launch terminal, said, "After the launch of the Padma Bridge, the number of passengers has already decreased many times than before. In the meantime, the sudden increase in the price of fuel oil has become a straw for dying. 

The driver of the launch, Farid Mia, said that before the price increase, he had to buy 16,000 taka worth of oil per trip. Now after the increase in the price of oil, it has increased by 22 thousand taka.

Gholam Rabbani Shamim, the lessee of Kalapara launch ghat, said, "I have taken the ghat lease for one year. The cost including VAT and tax is 31 lakh 20 thousand taka. So that 10 thousand taka should be collected every day. But the collection is 1200-1500 taka. I am now seeing mustard flowers in my eyes due to continued losses'.

Patuakhali Naval Port Officer Md. Mamunur Rashid said, 'Padma Bridge has affected Patuakhali's shipping. Since the opening of the bridge, there has been at least a 40 percent reduction in passenger traffic.

The launches are running on this route without rotation. The government fixed fare for ordinary passengers is Tk 536. The launch fare has not been increased yet. Launch supervisors are taking Tk 100-200 extra after fuel oil price increase. No meeting has yet been held with the shipping authority, the finance ministry and the launch owners regarding fare adjustment.' - Gofran Biswas