Passengers traveling between Saint Martin and Shahparir Island by speedboat are facing increased financial hardship due to rising fares and syndicate-driven pricing. Fares have risen in multiple stages from an initial Tk 400 to Tk 500, and recently to Tk 600 or even Tk 700 per person following fuel price hikes.
The route is operated by two speedboat cooperatives led by local political figures, leading to complaints from commuters like Nur Mohammad over the exorbitant cost for the roughly 14-kilometer journey.
While local BNP leader Nur Alam Arman defended the hike to Tk 600 as a necessary adjustment due to fuel costs and denied allegations of overcharging or dropping passengers short, social media complaints have criticized syndicate control.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) S.M. Anik Chowdhury could not be reached for comment, but Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md. Abdul Mannan stated that the local administration handles such matters and advised contacting the UNO.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Teknaf (Cox's Bazar) Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
