Extortion continues in the ame of ferry toll collection in Kalapara
Gofaran Biswas Palash, Kalapara (Patuakhali)
Eight months after the mass uprising of '24, the plight of passengers at the Tegachia-Sonatala ferry crossing in Patuakhali’s Kalapara has not ended. Instead of charging five taka per person, passengers are being forced to pay at least 10 taka. The extortion system from the previous government has been kept alive by followers of another political party. People are now asking: when will this stop ?
According to the ferry operator, an average of 500 people cross the Sonatala river daily using this route. By collecting an extra five taka per person, at least 2,500 taka is pocketed daily. That amounts to 75,000 taka a month and at least nine lakh taka a year, grabbed by this extortion racket.
Sajib Soja, a toll collector, casually said, “Awami League people are gone. Now they run it.” Two individuals from Gazi Bari in the local Golbunia village operate the ferry. Out of fear or worry about losing respect, most people no longer protest or express their anger. Many say that despite raising the issue for over a decade, things improve briefly but soon return to the same old ways.
Locals alleged that while 10 taka is charged per passenger during the day, the rate doubles or triples at night. For crossing with a motorcycle, the fee jumps to 40-50 taka. In this silent way, the extortionists rake in nine to ten lakh taka yearly from ordinary people’s pockets. Locals demand strict legal action to stop this and end their suffering. They also urge the upazila administration to ensure a rate chart is displayed at the ferry ghat.
Kalapara UNO Md. Robiul Islam said, he would take strict legal steps in this regard.
