BARISAL, Nov 4 (UNB): Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) will launch two Ro-Ro ferry services at Charjanajat-Maowa point to ease communications between the capital and 21 south-western districts.
Communications Adviser Maj. Gen. MA Matin (Rtd) will inaugurate the services today (Monday).
Two Ro-Ro ferries are Hazrat Shah Ali (Ra) and Bhasha Shahid Barkat.
BIWTC sources said crossing the Padma river by using Maowa-Charjanajat point will not only decrease traffic jam of Daulatdia-Paturia point, but also decrease the road distances of the routes from 31 to 150 kilometres between Dhaka and other 21 districts of south and western regions of the country.
At present some 1,200 transports cross the Padma through Maowa-Charjananat river crossing per day on an average through one medium, four flat and three K-type ferries placed at this point with highest capacity of carrying 4-8 vehicles on board each of their one-way trip.
But each of the two Ro-Ro ferries will carry 18-20 vehicles per one-way trip and decrease traffic jam on this route to a large extent, sources said.
However, Roads and Highways Authority sources said dredging of the river is urgently needed to make the ferry service popular and cost effective.
At present ferries have to move about double of its 13-kilometre route to cross the Padma safely by avoiding shoals.
BIWTC to launch two Ro-Ro ferry services at Charjanajat-Maowa point
FE Team | Published: November 05, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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