Loading...The journey of the Aricha-Daulatdia river route began on March 31, 1963, with a ferry service named “Karnaphuli.” After the country gained independence, the significance of Aricha Ghat (Aricha Ghat) rapidly increased. Eventually, Aricha Ghat was given the status of a seaport. Through this ghat, on average, three thousand vehicles crossed every day, and around 50,000 people traveled daily.
Aricha Ghat and Paturia Ghat are now two different pictures. One was born in the 60s, and the other in the 90s. For millions of people from the northern, southern, and western regions, Aricha Ghat was the only link to the capital and various parts of the country. However, after the construction of the Jamuna Bridge and the relocation of the ferry terminal from Aricha to Paturia, Aricha Ghat lost its vitality, while Paturia Ghat gained new life.
Aricha Ghat: Familiar Place, Now a Memory
Once a familiar landmark, Aricha Ghat now exists only in memory. This name is forever etched in people’s minds as a witness to history. Before the 90s, this was the only means of communication for people from the northern, southern, and western regions of the country. There is no longer the flash of searchlights from ferries at night, no bustling crowd of passengers, vendors, and ferry operators. The booming business of hotels, motels, and boarding houses has also faded away.
In the past, two large truck terminals were established at Aricha. These terminals had the capacity to handle a thousand trucks. Due to the pressure of traffic, traffic jams were a daily occurrence. During this time, the level of congestion was so high that passengers had to wait for hours. While buses were given priority, it often took three or four days for freight trucks to pass through the terminal. The traffic congestion was so severe that during Eid, passengers had to pray in the terminal itself.
Additionally, numerous hotels were built around the terminal to accommodate waiting passengers. Over a thousand coolies worked there, and hundreds of vendors and hawkers were busy in the area. In total, around 10,000 people depended on Aricha Ghat for their livelihood. However, the once lively Aricha Ghat has now descended into a silent quietness. Hundreds of hotels and restaurants have closed down, and the boarding business has collapsed. Thousands of coolies have become unemployed, and hawkers have shifted to Paturia Ghat to continue their work. Even the once-crowded truck terminal at Aricha is now replaced with a cattle market.
Paturia Ghat: The New Lifeline
After the inauguration of the Jamuna Bridge in 1998, the significance of Aricha Ghat diminished. Additionally, the navigability of the Jamuna River near Aricha Ghat reduced. Considering all factors, on February 12, 2002, the Aricha ferry terminal was shifted to Paturia. Since then, especially for people from the 21 southwestern districts of the country, Paturia Ghat has become a major medium of communication to reach the capital Dhaka and other parts of the country. The distance between Paturia and Daulatdia is half the distance from Aricha to Daulatdia, which has significantly reduced the travel time for people from the southwestern regions.
Paturia Ghat, full of life, has become an economic center with various sources of income for people. Eighteen ferries and thirty-three launches operate here. On average, around 5,000 vehicles cross daily on ferries. The ghat is bustling with the movement of thousands of people.
With a large number of food hotels and various businesses, Paturia Ghat has become a vibrant hub. The day and night are filled with the noise of coolies and vendors. However, the daily life of people from the southwestern regions has become increasingly difficult due to frequent traffic jams. Sometimes, there are issues like shallow water, ferry shortages, or problems caused by river currents and dense fog. This has led to the exploitation of the situation by various people involved in the hustle and bustle around Paturia Ghat. Despite these challenges, the people of Manikganj remain hopeful, as an international standard stadium is being planned on the banks of the Padma River near Paturia Ghat. There have already been several inspections of the site by local and foreign officials.
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