Govt sits with launch owners tomorrow

The government will sit in a meeting tomorrow (Sunday) to discuss the issue of hassle-free launch journey for home-bound people during Eid-ul-Fitr, officials said.

To this end, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) will take all-out preparations for ensuring safe journey for Eid holidaymakers.

"We are going to hold a meeting on Sunday at Sadarghat River Terminal Port with launch owners, workers and law enforcers to discuss safe journey for the passengers during Eid," director (marine safety and traffic management department) of BIWTA Muhammad Abu Jafor Howlader told the FE.

"We will take all-out preparations for ensuring smooth and hassle-free Eid journey for home-bound passengers especially for them in southern districts," he said.

Usually, 70 to 80 launches are operated from Sadarghat to Barishal, Patuakhali, Barguna, Pirojpur, Bhola, Bagerhat, Satkhira and Khulna every day.

But the number of passenger launches increased to 120-170 during last Eid-ul-Fitr due to a growing number of passengers.

The BIWTA official said this year the number of launches will increase compared to that of last year as a large number of city dwellers are expected to leave the city on the occasion of the biggest religious festival of the Muslims.

The number of launches plying on different river routes might be between 180 and 210 during Eid holidays, he added.

An adequate number of law enforcers will also be deployed at all the river ports including Sadarghat to ensure the safety and security of passengers.

BIWTA, which is under the shipping ministry, will form a coordination team comprising RAB, police, coast guard, fire service, naval police and Ansar personnel to ensure the safety and security of passengers.

Besides, additional law enforcers will be deployed there to maintain law and order. And closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be installed at the river ports.

Mr Howlader said BIWTA will not allow passengers to travel on the rooftops of launches. "We will take initiative so that launch owners cannot take extra money/fare from passengers."

Launch fares will remain unchanged, he added. "If anyone charges passengers extra money, action will be taken against them," he warned.

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