Sharankhola-Mathbaria ferry services to benefit thousands
The launch of a ferry service on the Baleshwar River in December, connecting Sharankhola in Bagerhat to Mathbaria in Pirojpur, is expected to herald a new era in communications and economic activity in the surrounding upazilas. The Roads and Highways Department (RHD), is investing Tk 1.98 million to build a new ferry terminal at the river's bank in Rayenda, Sharankhola upazila. Construction work began on the terminal in March. The goal is to complete the ramp to the pontoon by the end of October. Farid Uddin (executive engineer at RHD Bagerhat) stated that once the terminal is completed, the ferries operating along the route -- between Rayenda, Sharankhola, and Baramachhua Terminal in Mathbaria -- should allow as many as 25 000 people to cross the river each day. Locals are enthusiastic about the benefits of ferry services, which will allow ambulances, public transport, and other vehicles to cross the river. Kamal Hossain is a trader by profession. He said that he spends between Tk