The Sanyasi-Kalaran ferry service is set to resume after a hiatus of 19 years to improve communication between Bagerhat, Pirojpur and Barishal districts.
Work has already begun on a seven-kilometre road from Pallimangal to Sanyasi, along with the construction of the ferry ghat.
The ferry service will connect Sanyasi in Morelganj upazila of Bagerhat with Kalaran in Indurkani upazila of Pirojpur district, on opposite banks of the Baleshwar River.
Bagerhat-4 lawmaker Md Abdul Alim inspected the construction of a Bailey bridge on the road and the ferry landing facilities on Thursday afternoon. Md Ashraful Islam, executive engineer of the Roads and Highways Department in Bagerhat, Morelganj upazila Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shahadat Hossain, Jamaat leader Professor Shahidul Islam, contractor SM Badiuzzaman Khokon and local residents were present during the visit.
Local residents have expressed satisfaction over the resumption of work after a long delay.
Rakibul Islam, a local resident, said the road from Pallimangal to Sanyasi had been in poor condition for a long time, making movement difficult for ordinary people.
“Work has now resumed. It will be a great relief for us if the road and ferry ghat are opened.
We want the work to be completed as soon as possible,” he said.
Abdus Salam, a businessman from Sanyasi Bazar, said the ferry service would significantly reduce travel distances between Pirojpur and Barishal and the Bagerhat upazilas of Sharankhola and Morelganj, as well as Mongla.
He added that the ferry service would play an important role in boosting trade and commerce in the region.