(BSS)– Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Rtd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hussain today inaugurated the Dhalchar (Ananda Bazar) launch ghat in Char Fasson Upazila of Bhola district, built by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).

“The people of Dhalchar and Ananda Bazar have been neglected and deprived for generations. With the inauguration of this launch ghat today, their long-standing sufferings have come to an end,” he told the inaugural ceremony.

He added: “This is not just an infrastructure project; rather, it is a bridge to safe communication and development for the marginalized population.”

Dhalchar (Ananda Bazar) is a remote and isolated island area located at the extreme southern end of Char Fasson upazila, near the confluence of the Meghna River and the Bay of Bengal. It is actually one of the last frontiers of Bangladesh.

Because of its geographical location, the people of this area had long been deprived of safe and regular water transport facilities. Due to adverse weather, tidal fluctuations, and unsafe jetties, travel was risky and difficult.

The shipping adviser said, “People of this region used to face severe hardships in accessing healthcare, education, administrative services, and transporting daily necessities. With the operation of this new launch ghat, access to these services will become easier, and local economic activities will gain momentum.”

The adviser said the present government is giving special importance to improving water transport infrastructure to connect people of marginal and remote island areas with the mainstream of development.

Harnessing the potential of riverine Bangladesh, the government aims to ensure balanced development in every corner of the country, he said.

BIWTA chairman, officials of the Shipping Ministry and BIWTA, district and upazila administration were present at the programme.