The terms and conditions of the ferry ghat lease issued by the Chittagong Divisional Commissioner’s office are not being respected at the Nasir Majhir Ghat-Tulatoli-Kathir Matha ferry ghat (Majerchar-Madanpur-Charpadma route from the head of the Motirhat road) jointly owned by Lakshmipur and Bhola Zilla Parishads. Although the government has given the ferry ghat lease with 17 strict conditions, no real reflection has been seen on the ground.
Md. Muktar Hossain of Char Kalkini area No. 1 of Kamalnagar Upazila leased the said ferry pier from the Local Government Branch of the Chittagong Divisional Commissioner’s Office for Taka 14,95,175/- for the fiscal year 2026-2027. According to conditions 1 and 3 of the lease, there is a clear obligation to ensure adequate boat safety at the pier, operate a fitness-certified vessel, and have the necessary life jackets and life buoys for the safety of passengers.
However, on the ground, a contrasting picture emerges:
​Severe lack of safety equipment: There are no life jackets or life buoys to protect passengers traveling at risk.
Infrastructure neglect: There are no safe pontoons, stairs, or proper boarding and alighting systems for passenger crossing.
​Operation of unregistered vessels: According to condition number 1 of the lease agreement, there should be a total of 8 registered and fitness-certified vessels, at least 4 on each side of the wharf, but no trawlers are being operated as per the rules.
Hundreds of passengers cross the turbulent river every day in unfit trawlers without life jackets and on unprotected pontoons. As a result, major fatal accidents can occur at any moment.
Attempts were made to contact the lessee, Md. Muktar Hossain, on his mobile phone several times to obtain his statement regarding the breach of the lease terms, but he could not be reached.
Local victims and conscious people who use the ghat are demanding that the administration immediately conduct an on-the-ground investigation, take legal action against the lessee for violating the agreement, and ensure safe passage for the general public.
In this regard, the Kamalnagar Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) said that the issue of violation of the lease conditions will be discussed with the District Council and necessary action will be taken.