Tawhidul Islam Cox's Bazar 

A new chapter in the transportation system between Cox’s Bazar and Moheshkhali was opened on Friday with the launch of a trial run of a sea truck on this water route.

 Initiated by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), a sea truck with a capacity of 250 passengers was launched on a trial basis. Officials hope that once this service is launched permanently, it will ease travel for over 400,000 residents of the island and significantly reduce the hassles faced by tourists, while also boosting the island’s economy.

According to BIWTA officials, the sea truck will operate on a trial basis until April 24. If no issues arise during this period, the service will be launched commercially from April 25.

AKM Arif Uddin, Director of BIWTA, stated that the passenger fare for the sea truck has not been determined yet. He added that following the success of the trial run, the authority plans to not only make the sea truck service permanent but also introduce ferry services in the future.

Researcher and author Professor Mokbul Ahmed remarked that Moheshkhali is the country’s only hilly island, rich in natural beauty. Known for salt production, its sweet betel leaves, and the historic Adinath Temple atop the Mainak Hill, the island attracts thousands of tourists every year. Travelers enjoy the scenic beauty of the Bakkhali River, the Bay of Bengal estuary, and the mangrove-covered riverbanks along the roughly 9-kilometer water route from Cox’s Bazar to the island.

However, this journey has long been fraught with difficulties and inconvenience for both tourists and the island’s residents. Pregnant women and critically ill patients often suffer due to the unreliable transport options. There have also been long-standing complaints of long queues for speedboats, rude behavior from drivers and leaseholders, unregulated charges at the jetty without receipts, and frequent accidents during the monsoon at the river’s estuary.

Professor Ahmed noted that BIWTA has taken commendable steps to address these issues by introducing the modern sea truck service. This initiative is expected to significantly benefit both the local population and tourists.

Meanwhile, when the sea truck departed from the BIWTA jetty at Nuniyarchhara in Cox’s Bazar at 12:20 PM and docked at the newly installed pontoon at Moheshkhali’s jetty at 1:00 PM, crowds of islanders greeted it with overwhelming excitement. For the residents, this was not just about witnessing a sea truck for the first time—it symbolized the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream and the release of pent-up frustration.

They welcomed the launch of the government-operated sea truck service, which breaks the grip of long-standing syndicates, with enthusiastic slogans and cheers.

Members of the conscious community on the island expressed their gratitude to the government, stating that since the country’s independence, travelers at the jetty had been hostage to a private family-run syndicate. With this government initiative, people are finally free from years of suffering and exploitation. They believe the new sea truck service will ensure safer travel while also contributing to the growth of tourism and the island’s economy.