Three launch ghats to come under govt management

The government decided Wednesday to supervise  three ferry/launch ghats itself from next fiscal by canceling the lease deeds with the private sector to stop passengers' harassment and ensure better services, officials said.

The decision of the government came following a meeting of the Ministry of Shipping (MoS) on the day at the conference room of the ministry. Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan presided over the meeting.   

As per the decision, Mazirkandi of Shariatpur and Kathalbari and Kaorakandi ferry/launch ghats of Madaripur will come under direct government management.

The ghats are now being operated by the private sector but there is an allegation that the passengers are being harassed by the persons engaged in supervising the ghat affairs.      

 "The meeting took the decision for not continuing the private sector lease further for maintaining Mazirhandi of Shariatpur,  Kathalbari and Kaorakandi ferry/launch ghats of Madaripur after June next year. It will ensure passengers' safety and better services once the government takes the responsibility from July 2015," a high official of the MoS told the FE after the meeting.  

He said at present, the government earns Tk 10 million annually from the three ferry/ launch ghat service providers.

He said the revenue will be increased significantly once the government takes the charge for managing the ghats.

The government had cancelled the leasing system of the Dhaka River Port Terminal (Sadarghat terminal). Since 2010, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is supervising the ghat management. This significantly improved passengers' services and checked harassment. The Mawa ferry ghat is also now run by the BIWTA.    

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com