Engine driven boats are the main means of transportation in Kishoreganj’s vast expanses during monsoons. Boat fares have gone up in Howrah due to unprecedented rise in diesel prices. The low income people of Haor are in trouble. There are fears of an impact on tourism.
Howree travelers are in trouble with boat rentals. To enjoy the endless beauty of Howor with family and friends, you have to budget keeping in mind the boat rental. Abdullah and two of his friends came from Dholaikhal in old Dhaka to see Haor. The reserve fare for small engine driven boats from Balikhla was Tk 800. Now it is not available below 1200 rupees.
A group of 9 people from Beribandh of Nikoli upazila went to see Hijal Bagan in Chhatirchar. Last July 24, they had to pay 1 thousand 500 taka for boat rental. Yesterday Sunday, to go to Chhatirchar reserve boat had to rent two thousand taka.
It has been found that due to the increase in the price of diesel, the fare of the trawlers plying from Khadnighat to 22 upazilas of Haor has been increased by Tk 10 to Tk 20 per person. Each person had to pay a fare of 70 taka to go to Etna on a trawler from Khadnighat. 80 rupees rent has to be paid from last Saturday. The rent from the leather ghat was 50 taka per person now the rent is 70 taka. As a result, working people and common people are in extreme trouble.
Chairman of Itna Upazila Parishad Chowdhury Kamrul Hasan said, due to the increase in the price of diesel, the price of everything powered by diesel will increase. It is normal that even the rent of irrigation, engine driven boats and other vehicles will increase in agriculture. He commented that tourists are decreasing in Howar in such a situation.
