TALHA BIN HABIB
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) and the launch owners will sit today (Tuesday) to discuss the proposed hike of launch fares, following the recent increase in fuel prices.
"We will sit with the member (Planning) of BIWTA on Tuesday (April 21, 2026) for discussion on our proposed launch fare hike," Md Badiuzzaman Badal, acting president of Bangladesh Inland Waterways (PC) Association, told the FE on Monday. The BIWTA is the authority to determine launch fares.
He said they (launch owners) had held a meeting on Monday in the capital regarding their proposed hike in launch fares. The launch owners had sent a letter on April 19, 2026 to the BIWTA for increasing launch fares due to the recent price hike of fuel between Tk 15 and Tk 20 per litre.
He said that the launch operators have proposed to the government to increase fares by up to 42 per cent.
In the letter, the launch owners said that the government on April 18, 2026 increased per litre diesel price at Tk 115 from Tk 100 and due to this reason operational cost for a launch has increased.
They said that diesel price hike along with increased prices of plate, propeller, spares parts of launch engines, fueling rod, gas and others have increased launch operational cost around 50 per cent.
They proposed per kilometre fare at least Tk 3.77 by increasing Tk one for up to 100-kilometre journey, showing an increase of 36 per cent fare.
They also proposed Tk3.38 per kilometre by increasing Tk one for journey beyond 100 kilometres, reflecting an increase of 42 per cent.
Besides, they also proposed minimum launch journey fare at Tk 35 instead of the existing Tk29.
Mr Md Badiuzzaman Badal said that the number of launch passengers has reduced significantly following the development of road transport system.
He said that the launch owners had been facing financial losses not getting desired number of passengers.
"Considering the prevailing situation, we (launch owners) have no way but to increase launch fares; otherwise it will be difficult for us to run business," he said.
He hoped that the government would consider their proposal in the interest of the sector.
Earlier the government had raised fuel prices to record highs, increasing diesel by Tk 15 per litre, octane by Tk 20, petrol by Tk 19, and kerosene by Tk 18.
According to the new rates, which came into effect at midnight on Sunday (April 19, 2026), diesel will cost Tk 115 per litre, up from Tk 100; octane Tk 140, up from Tk 120; petrol Tk 135, up from Tk 116, and kerosene Tk 130, up from Tk 112.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com
