Mozahidur Rahaman, Khulna bureau
Passengers at Khulna’s Rupsha Ferry Ghat have alleged overcharging for crossing the river and carrying goods, while questions remain over facilities and government revenue.
Sahitya Akon, a veterinary doctor from BIDC Road in Khalishpur, said he was charged Tk 20 for a bag containing medicines for dogs and cats. Passengers said the entry fee doubled from Tk 1 to Tk 2 after the ghat came under the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), previously operated by Khulna City Corporation (KCC).
Md. Monirul Hasan Sumon, a mason from Naihati village in Rupsha Upazila, said the bicycle charge rose from Tk 2 to Tk 5, pushing his daily crossing expenses to around Tk 30. He was also injured after falling on a damaged gangway. Other passengers alleged charges of Tk 10 for a chicken, Tk 50 for a table fan and Tk 20 for a small showcase.
Although a toll schedule is displayed, passengers said actual collections lacked transparency. Kuddus, an employee of the ghat leaseholder, could not explain the alleged Tk 20 charge for an empty cloth bag.
KCC reportedly earned around Tk 68 lakh annually from the ghat. BIWTA records show Md. Sheikh Ali Akbar was assigned to collect Tk 1,87,500 monthly. Over nine months, Tk 16,87,500 was due to the treasury, but Sheikh Ali Akbar said he had deposited Tk 14.07 lakh, leaving a difference of Tk 2,80,500. The figures relate to different management arrangements and periods. Around 50,000 people reportedly cross the river daily.
Denying excessive collection, Sheikh Ali Akbar said CCTV cameras recorded activities and traders paid voluntarily. He claimed a court order prevented a fresh tender.
BIWTA Khulna Deputy Director Md. Masud Parvez said a committee was investigating the allegations. He added that a contractor’s court case had stalled plans to lease the ghat through annual tenders. Attempts to act against the leaseholder had also led to contempt of court proceedings, later withdrawn on BIWTA’s legal adviser’s advice.
Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman, who was in charge in Khulna, directed mobile court operations to prevent irregularities at a law and order meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on September 14. Passengers said they had seen no visible results.
Advocate Babul Howlader, member-secretary of Khulna Nagorik Samaj, said passengers paid multiple fares and tolls, unlike at nearby Jailkhana Ghat, where no passenger toll was collected.
BIWTA sources said Sheikh Ali Akbar was responsible for six ghats with a combined assessed lease value of Tk 1.23 crore, including Tk 75 lakh for Rupsha Ghat.
Passengers are demanding transparent toll collection, prominently displayed rates, repairs to damaged gangways and pontoons, and accountability in ghat management. #EK