The Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED) will introduce the service as part of its Tk 10 crore programme to improve Kurigaram's communication with Roumari and Rajibpur.

Now hazardous journey on country boats from the two upazilas to Kurugram district town through the mighty Brahmaputra takes about six hours. This will be reduced to two hours once the ferry service is introduced, LGED sources told this correspondent.

Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Azizur Rahman Mollah made the announcement yesterday.

"LGED in Rangpur is going to commission the ferry service", the DC said.

Kurigram LGED Executive Engineer Salauddin said all necessary installations have been built for the ferry service from Chilmari ghat to Doikhowa.

Enamul Hoque, a social worker in Roumari termed the

announcement "unbelievable". "We have been hearing such words for the last 35 years. No one kept his commitment."

Roumari and Rajibpur are the two northern bordering upazilas with about two lakh people.

The two upazilas are separated from Kurigarm by the Bhra-mmaputra.

Roumari is 56 km (by road and river) and Rajibpur is 68 km away from the district headquarters.

Earlier, Rajibpur was a part ofRoumari upazila.

In 1986, the then government formed Rajibpur upazila with

three unions.

Unlike in other upazilas in the district, the two upazilas lack basic facilities like road, power, healthcare, education and telecommunication.

There is no other occupation for the people there other than agriculture.

According to data available from the District Statistical Bureau, about 90 percent people there are below the poverty level, which is highest in the country.

Every year, hundreds of landless people leave homes for work elsewhere.