Motorcycles banned from launches during Eid

After banning motorcycles from highways for a week, the authorities have restricted motorbikes from passenger launches for 10 days as part of their efforts to ensure trouble-free travel of holidaymakers during Eid-ul-Azha, reports bdnews24.com.

The latest order has been effective from Wednesday, said Md Mobarak Hossain Majumder, transport inspector at Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority BIWTA.

The shipping ministry took the decision in a meeting with launch owners and workers some days ago to make sure passengers do not face trouble while getting on or off the vessels, Mobarak said.

Motorcyclists are still able to use ferries.

Motorcycles emerged as an important mode of long distance travel during Eid-ul-Fitr two months ago, bringing much relief to hundreds of thousands of people who left the cities for their hometowns and villages for the holiday.

The increasing number of motorcycles, however, caused a rise in the number of deadly accidents, surveys showed.