Rapid emergence of shoals disrupts vessel movement in Meghna

Navigation along the Alexander–Daulatkhan route on the River Meghna has been severely disrupted by the sudden emergence of numerous submerged shoals, triggering acute suffering for water vessel commuters and bringing cargo movement to a near standstill.

The affected route connects Alexander in Ramgati upazila of Lakshmipur with Daulatkhan and other river ports in Bhola. According to local sources, launches, trawlers and cargo vessels are frequently getting stuck, particularly during low tide, due to reduced water levels and the rise of small and large underwater shoals.

As a result, the movement of goods-laden vessels and large trawlers has largely come to a halt. Passengers travelling on the route are often stranded mid-river, while vessels are forced to take long detours, extending travel time by three to four hours.

Locals feared that continued deterioration of navigability could lead to the closure of the Alexander and Daulatkhan river ports, putting the livelihoods of more than 200 workers, including labourers and small traders at risk.

Boat owners and workers have called for urgent dredging operations, suggesting that multiple excavators be deployed simultaneously during the dry season to remove the shoals and restore navigability.

Hannan Howlader, leaseholder of Alexander Ghat, said the ongoing crisis has made operations unprofitable, adding that repeated appeals to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) have yielded no effective response.

Boat operators estimated that 10 to 12 shoals have recently emerged along the route. A visit to Alexander Launch Ghat revealed that two major waterways connect the ghat with Daulatkhan and Char Fashion in Bhola, serving thousands of passengers daily.

Passengers said vessels can sometimes navigate during high tide when the shoals remain submerged, but during low tide, boats frequently run aground. In many cases, passengers are forced to disembark mid-river and wade through muddy water to board other vessels.

“Such suffering has been ongoing for years, but has worsened over the past six months since the last monsoon,” said a passenger, Golam Rahman.
Boatman Md Selim said navigation becomes particularly difficult during low tide when the shoals surface, disrupting regular services.

Launch owner Md Sahab Uddin said that removing the shoals would revitalise the waterway, increase revenue and improve connectivity between Bhola, Barishal, Noakhali and Lakshmipur. Contacted, Md Shahidul Islam, deputy director of the BIWTA at Bhola River Port, said steps would be taken after consultation with the concerned engineering department to address the issue.

Bhola Deputy Commissioner Dr Shamim Rahman said initiatives would be taken in coordination with BIWTA, while Lakshmipur Deputy Commissioner Mehdi Hasan confirmed that reports on the issue are being reviewed and necessary measures, including dredging, would be undertaken in consultation with relevant authorities.