Boat market gathers momentum in Daudkandi as monsoon waters rise
Photo: Agamir Somoy
With the onset of the monsoon, water levels in the rivers, canals, and wetlands of Daudkandi in Cumilla have begun to rise, bringing renewed activity to the area's traditional boat markets.
Although traders say business has yet to reach its peak, they expect sales to increase as heavier rainfall and upstream hill runoff raise water levels further.
A visit to several local markets found boats on sale across Daudkandi, with the largest boat market held at Gouripur Bazar every Sunday. Boat trading also continues there on a daily basis throughout the monsoon season.
Buyers and sellers said demand for boats has already begun to increase with the arrival of the rainy season. For people living in low-lying areas, boats remain the primary means of transportation and daily commuting during the flood season. As water levels continue to rise, they expect sales to grow accordingly.
Abdullah, the leaseholder of the Gouripur boat market, said many low-lying areas have not yet been fully inundated, which is why the market has not reached its full operation. However, he expects business to pick up as the monsoon intensifies.
Local sources said boat builders have been preparing for the season for several months, producing hundreds of boats in anticipation of rising demand. Many craftsmen are still building additional boats.
Kartik Das, a boat builder from Mathabhanga village in Homna upazila, said boat sales usually begin at the start of the monsoon every year. However, lower-than-expected rainfall has affected demand this season. He has built 35 boats of various sizes for sale, with 15 still unsold, though he remains optimistic about stronger sales during the remainder of the season.
Boat trader Sujan Saha said the market traditionally becomes busy from the Bengali month of Ashar, but fewer buyers have visited this year because of below-average rainfall.
According to traders, major boat markets are held once a week. Small boats are currently selling for between Tk 10,000 and Tk 11,000, while medium-sized boats are priced between Tk 22,000 and Tk 23,000.
Buyers and sellers also said Elliottganj Market hosts boat markets every Saturday and Tuesday.
Boat seller Nur-e-Alam of Elliottganj told Agamir Somoy that Ashar, Shraban, and Bhadra are the three peak months for boat sales. During the rest of the year, most boat makers and traders earn their livelihood through farming.
