The government will cancel lease of all the BIWTA-owned ferry terminals from next month to stop passengers' harassment and ensure their safe journey during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr festival, officials said.
"We have decided to cancel the lease of all ferry terminals of BIWTA for stopping harassment and ensuring safe and pleasant journey of homebound passengers during the Eid," Chairman of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Commodore Mohammad Mozammel Haque told the FE.
He also said the ferry terminals were now being run by a private organisation on a lease basis. As per the existing system each large-size bus or truck has to pay Tk 40 as charge at the ferry terminals while each small-size vehicle pays Tk 20. The money is collected by the private operator as per the lease deal with the government.
However, it is alleged that the leaseholder of the ferry terminals often takes extra money from the vehicles, and causes sufferings to the passengers. The operator also deprives the government of actual revenue from the ferry terminals.
The ferry terminals that would be freed from the leasing system from July 1, 2015 are Kaurakandi at Shibchar under Madaripur, Paturia in Manikganj, Doulatdia in Rajbari, Kajirhat in Pabna, Shimulia (Mawa) in Munshiganj, Kathalbari in Shibchar under Madaripur, Chandpur, Laximpur, Shariatpur, Bhola, Baushia in Munshiganj, Beltoli in Matlab under Chandpur, Beduria in Bhola, and Laharhat in Barisal.
Mr Haque said once the leasing system is abolished, it would help the government earn four times higher revenue annually than the present amount. "By abolishing the leasing system, we will be able to earn additional revenue of Tk 250 million each year."
The BIWTA officials would look after the ferry terminals after cancellation of the leasing system. The vehicles would collect tickets from them at the terminals before boarding, he added.
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