Severed Pontoon Disrupts Transport and Trade in Rangabali, Bangladesh

Thousands of commuters and businesses in Rangabali upazila, Bangladesh, have faced prolonged hardship for over a month due to a severed pontoon at the Koralia Launch Ghat. The crucial river transport hub, located on the Agunmukha River, had its pontoon detached by strong currents on June 10, leaving passengers to navigate risky makeshift boarding arrangements.

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The severed pontoon lies beside Koralia Launch Ghat in Rangabali upazila after strong currents in the Agunmukha river tore it from the jetty on June 10. It has yet to be reinstalled, leaving passengers to board launches through risky makeshift arrangements.

This lack of a safe boarding facility has particularly affected vulnerable groups, including women, children, and the elderly, who are now at increased risk of accidents. The pontoon, which broke loose during high tide, was recovered by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) but has yet to be reinstalled. The BIWTA has also not provided a safe alternative, forcing people to continue using the hazardous makeshift setups.

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With the facility serving as a key river transport hub near the Agunmukha river’s seven-channel confluence, people have been forced to continue travelling and trading despite the lack of an alternative.

The severed pontoon has disrupted both passenger movement and cargo transportation. The ghat serves multiple routes, including Dhaka, Galachipa-Rangabali, and various local areas. Traders, like sanitaryware and hardware merchant Mehedi Hasan Azad, report increased costs and difficulties in receiving goods, impacting their businesses. Rakibul Islam, a trawler operator, noted the significantly heightened risk of accidents for passengers boarding and disembarking without proper access.

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Although the incident was reported immediately, the port authority has yet to restore the facility, he added.

Locals point to the jetty's long-standing vulnerability due to riverbed erosion, which weakened the anchoring spuds and piles, ultimately leading to its collapse under strong tidal pressure. Despite immediate reporting of the incident, the port authority's delay in restoring the facility has prolonged the difficulties faced by the community, highlighting a critical lapse in essential infrastructure maintenance.

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Passengers have been boarding and disembarking without proper access to the ghat for nearly a month, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.