Ferry services on Rayenda to Boromachhua route in Sarankhola upazila of Bagerhat resumed on Tuesday after being halted for five months.
The Rayenda Ferry Ghat was severely damaged due to Cyclone Remal, causing the ferry service to come to a halt. After a long period, the much-awaited ferry service has now resumed, providing relief to thousands of commuters who had been facing difficulties.
During Cyclone Remal, the ferry terminal and approach road near the Baleswar River in Rayenda, located in the coastal region of Shoronkhola upazila, were nearly destroyed on May 26. Since then, the residents of Shoronkhola upazila in Bagerhat, as well as people from neighboring areas of Pirojpur district, including Mathbaria, Tushkhali, Bamna, Shapleza, and Char Doanir, had to endure significant disruptions to their travel for over five months.
Ahidujaman Dalim, Deputy Team Leader of the CPP (Cyclone Preparedness Programme) in Rayenda union, mentioned that due to the intervention of local journalists and efforts from some community workers, the authorities took action, and a tender was called for the reconstruction of the ferry terminal. As the ferry services resumed again, it made travel easier between Khulna, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bagerhat, and Mongla. Sadhan Kumar, an officer from the Roads and Highways Department overseeing the work, said that Tk 1.6 crore was allocated for the repair of the bailey bridge and the approach road. The work was completed after three months of effort.
Ferry Station Master Faisal Hossain said that the work on the ferry terminal at Machhua and Rayenda was completed, and ferry services resumed on Tuesday.
Regarding the issue, the Executive Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department in Bagerhat, Md Ashraful Islam Pramanik, confirmed that the work on both sides of the terminal was completed, allowing the ferry to resume. With the reopening of the ferry service, the previously faced difficulties for people crossing the Baleswar River in engine-powered boats was alleviated.
