With only two days left for Eid ul Azha, homebound people started leaving the capital for home overcrowding Shimulia ferry terminal on Sunday to cross the River Padma ignoring the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

Currently, 15 of the 19 ferries and 84 launches, out of 87, are moving on this route.

All the ferries are not operating due to strong current in the river while authorities did not allow the operation of three launches for not having their updated documents, said the terminal authorities.

Also read: Ferry services only for ambulances, goods-laden vehicles

Being unable to control the unusual pressure of vehicles and passengers, authorities brought two more ferries – ‘Kakoli’ and ‘Kolmilata’ from Chandpur to deal with the pressure but the queues of stranded trucks and other vehicles are getting longer and longer.

Meanwhile, all the launches are carrying extra passengers defying government instructions to carry passengers at half of their capacities.

However, the terminal authorities said they have set up separate control rooms for serving passengers but they are not maintaining the social distancing rule and health guidelines, and not even wearing masks.

Also read: 5 die in stampede, heatstroke at Banglabazar ferry terminal

Sirajul Kabir, in-charge of Mawa Naval police outpost, said small launches are carrying excessive passengers despite strong current in the river.

Assistant General Manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport and Corporation (BIWTC) Shafiqul Islam said strong current is slowing down the movement of ferries, bringing down the number of their trips.

In the terminal, he said, around 1,000 goods-laden and other vehicles are waiting for their turn to cross the river, he said.