, Sept. 2 -- The mighty Padma River has already swallowed half of three ferry terminals and the entire launch terminal at Paturia in Manikganj, yet urgent protective measures remain stalled amid an administrative deadlock between two state agencies.

As the river continues to erode the banks, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) insists that river-training work falls under the jurisdiction of the Water Development Board (BWDB).

The BWDB, however, argues that maintenance and protection of ferry terminals are the BIWTA's responsibility.

Caught in this tug of war, no effective action has been taken to save the crucial Paturia-Daulatdia ferry route.

The lack of coordination has left thousands of passengers and vehicles v...