Sadarghat: The perennial busyness in bird's-eye view

Sadarghat Launch Terminal is one of the busiest areas and river ports of the country.

There are 45 water transport routes from Sadarghat to different parts of the country, including Patauakhali, Bhola, Jhalokathi, Madaripur, Khula, Hatiya, and Bagerhat.

Small boats waiting to ferry passengers across the river. Photos: Saad Abdullah

Besides huge luxurious launches, small, wooden boats also carry a huge numbers of passengers every day. Sadarghat is always chaotic, as passengers and people from all walks of life throng the place. This has been a common scene for the last couple of centuries. 

Sadarghat Launch Terminal, Ahsan Manzil and Babubazar Bridge at dawn. Photo: Saad Abdullah

Sadarghat launch terminal, located on the southern part of Dhaka, on the river Buriganga, became the centre of business activity in the 19th century. 

Busyness at the dockyard. Photo: Saad Abdullah

Photographer Saad Abdullah captured this centuries-old dynamic place from the sky. 

In addition to conventional photography, Saad started aerial photography early this year. 

A launch heading towards its destination through the Buriganga River. Photo: Saad Abdullah

Saad is currently enrolled at the BSS in Photography programme at Pathshala South Asian Media Institute. A hobbyist photographer, Saad has also started working in professional capacity.