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Commuters suffer for ship crisis on Teknaf-St Martin route

Published : Thursday, 22 December, 2016 at 12:00 AM  Count : 668
Farhad Iqbal
COX'S BAZAR, Dec 21: Commuters are suffering much due to crisis of ships running on the Teknaf-Saint Martin route during this peak season of tourism.
Though the number of tourists has increased, but only four ships which are running on the route, can hardly carry more than half of the tourists.
Meanwhile, many tourists have been compelled to change their tourist destinations from Saint Martin Island to elsewhere.
On the other hand, many tourists, who could not manage tickets of the ships, are going to St Martin's Island on wooden boats amid life risk.
According to the sources at Teknaf upazila administration, after the start of the tourism season around three months ago, two ships of Keari Sindbad, one of LC Kutubdia and one of Bay Cruise are plying on the route.
While talking with different tour operator companies, it was known that from the beginning of December, the number of tourists has increased in Cox's Bazar. The top target of each tourist here is to go to the St Martin's Island, and in this connection, they usually reserve two days for going there.
But, from December 12 last, seat crisis has been reported at each ship. The tour operators could not manage sufficient tickets despite repeated communication with the ship companies.
Officer of Keari Sindbad Shah Alam said, "Around five thousand tourists can travel to Saint Martin daily through the four ships, and around one thousand go there through small boats."
Former President of Tour Operators' Association of Cox's Bazar SM Kibria said, "At present, over eight thousand tourists are going to St Martin's Island daily, but the four ships can carry around six thousand tourists at the same time. Besides, around one thousand tourists can go to the island through small boats. But, the rest of the tourists cannot go there despite strong determination. In the meantime, many tourists who tried to go there with personal arrangements, have been compelled to return from Damdamia ghat."
He further said, "In the previous seasons, at least eight ships used to ply on the route, but now only four are plying. Going to St Martin's Island thorough boats is risky, but still may tourists have been compelled to do so. Besides, many tourists who could not go to the island, are going to Bandarban or Rangamati."
A tourist Anisur Rahman who boarded the Hotel Sea Palace said on Friday, "I have come to Cox' Bazar with my family. Our main target is to go to St Martin's Island but finding no ticket of the ships, we are now going to Bandarban."
Sources in the local tour operator companies said, more than double of the current tourists will arrive here on December 23, 24 and 25 next. If the number of ships is not increased then, half of them will not be able to go to St Martin's, the sources added.
While asked, Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shafiul Alam said, "We know the crisis of ships. We are also working in this connection. In the meantime, one more ship is staying at Teknaf. After required repair, the ship will start to carry passengers from Monday. A process to increase the number of ships is also on."






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