Eid special launch services start July 14

Launch owners will run special services from July 14 from Sadarghat terminal to deal with the rush of passengers ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr.
The decision was taken at a preparatory meeting of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) at its Sadarghat Launch terminal conference room, a news agency report said.
The meeting also decided to take necessary measures to ensure passengers’ safety, and look into their sufferings and harassments.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, BIWTA Chairman Commodore M Mozammel Haq said a port coordination committee will start its monitoring work one week ahead of the eid to ensure the safety of passengers and their comfortable journey.
He said the launch owners must ensure the presence of masters and drivers of their vessels in uniforms. They will have to ensure adequate lifesaving equipment in their vessels.
The BIWTA chief said no launch will be allowed to carry passengers on its rooftop and take and drop passengers in mid rivers through boats.
BIWTA sources said though 60 to 65 launches are usually operated every day from Sadarghat to different destinations, the number has been increased to around 100 to cope with the eid rush.