Launch owners alerted over Eid rush

The government directed on Sunday the launch owners not to carry passengers beyond the capacity of their vessels during the Eid-ul-Fitr vacation.
It also warned the launch owners of legal action if they violate the directives.
The directives came at a meeting between the ministry of shipping (MoS) and launch owners and other stakeholders held at the conference room of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) in the city aiming to ensure safe travel by launches, ferries and steamers during the Eid vacation.   
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan who chaired the meeting said the government was committed to ensuring the safety of passengers on different river routes.
"The government won't tolerate any indiscipline and mismanagement in this case," he told the meeting.  
The meeting decided that no launch would be allowed to be overloaded with passengers or goods. The launches which must leave the terminal before crossing its load level cannot take passengers on its way after starting journey from Sadarghat terminal.
 It also took a decision that launch owners cannot charge extra money beyond fixed fare with imposing a ban on setting fishing nets on river vessels' (launch) routes for ensuring smooth travel of river vessels, compulsory presence of launch masters, drivers and other staff while passengers getting into launches.
It decided that except for goods-laden trucks, other trucks (general) and covered vans cannot run before and after three days of Eid-ul-Fitr.
All types of goods-laden vessels and sand-laden bulkheads cannot move during night time. If there are huge passengers at Mawa and Paturia, then they will be transferred by ferries. Speedboats cannot ply after sunset and its passengers must wear lifejackets for their safe journey.
Besides, the MoS will form vigilance teams to monitor the situation at launch and ferry ghats (terminals) and overall safe travel of homebound passengers during the Eid vacation.
It also decided that the leasing system at 14 ferry terminals would be stopped from July 1. Each big bus or truck must pay Tk 40 while small vehicle Tk 20 for boarding any ferry.
Shipping Secretary Shafique Alam Mehedi, BIWTA Chairman Commodore M Mojammel Haque, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Chairman Md Mizanur Rahman, representatives from launch owners, labourers and district administration officials, among others, were present.   
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com